Isopropyl Acetate
AKA “propan-2-yl acetate, 2-Propyl acetate, 2-Acetoxypropane, Acetic acid, 1-methylethyl ester, Isopropyl ethanoate, Isopropylacetat, Paracetat”
Synthetic
Ingredient Facts
Isopropyl acetate
AKA: Propan-2-yl acetate, 2-Propyl acetate, 2-Acetoxypropane, Acetic acid, 1-methylethyl ester, Isopropyl ethanoate, Isopropylacetat, Paracetat
Synthetic · Emollient · EWG: 4
Synthetic
Emollient
Solvent
Skin Conditioner
Synthetic
Clean
A lightweight solvent that helps dissolve and blend other ingredients, ensuring smooth, even product application.
Solubility 1 to 10 mg/mL at 68 °F (NTP, 1992)
Formula
C5H10O2
Mol. Weight
102.13
CAS #
108-21-4
Form
Liquid
State
Isopropyl acetate appears as a clear colorless liquid. Flash point 40 °F. Vapors are heavier than air. Contact with the material may irritate skin, eyes or mucous membranes. May be toxic by ingestion,
See origin →
Functions
Solvent
Dissolves other ingredients so they distribute evenly in the formula. Often the invisible "base" everything else is mixed into.
Emollient
Fills in the tiny cracks between skin cells to make everything feel smooth and soft. The "silky finish" ingredient.
Volatile Agent
Dissolves Ingredients
Dissolves other ingredients
Traditional Use
A synthetic solvent developed for cosmetic use in the 20th century. Used as a volatile carrier and drying agent in nail products, fragrances, and aerosol formulations.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Melanin-Rich Skin
Suitable
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
Safety Assessment of Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate and Beta-Alanine Diacetic Acid as Used in Cosmetics.
Burnett CL, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Cohen DE, Klaassen CD et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2025
Safety Assessment of Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate and Beta-Alanine Diacetic Acid as Used in Cosmetics.
Burnett CL, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Cohen DE, Klaassen CD et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2025
Sodium Dehydroacetate and Dehydroacetic Acid.
Cherian P, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Cohen DE, Klaassen CD et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2024
Sodium Dehydroacetate and Dehydroacetic Acid.
Cherian P, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Cohen DE, Klaassen CD et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2024
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Methoxyisopropanol and Methoxyisopropyl Acetate as Used in Cosmetics
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Sodium Dehydroacetate and Dehydroacetic Acid
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Safety Assessment of Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate and Beta-Alanine Diacetic Acid as Used in Cosmetics
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Sodium Dehydroacetate and Dehydroacetic Acid
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Acetic Acid
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Beta-Alanine Diacetic Acid
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
dehydroacetic acid
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Isopropyl Acetate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Methoxyisopropyl Acetate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Final report on the safety assessment of methoxyisopropanol and methoxyisopropyl acetate as used in cosmetics.
Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2008
Acetic acid and the skin: a review of vinegar in dermatology.
Elhage KG, St Claire K, Daveluy S
International journal of dermatology, 2022
Acetic acid and the skin: a review of vinegar in dermatology.
Elhage KG, St Claire K, Daveluy S
International journal of dermatology, 2022
Acetic Acid
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
dehydroacetic acid
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Isopropyl Acetate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Potential application of novel liquid crystal nanoparticles of isostearyl glyceryl ether for transdermal delivery of 4-biphenyl acetic acid.
Fujii MY, Asakawa Y, Fukami T
International journal of pharmaceutics, 2020
Preparation of (13)C-labeled ceramide by acetic acid bacteria and its incorporation in mice.
Fukami H, Tachimoto H, Kishi M, Kaga T, Waki H et al.
Journal of lipid research, 2010
Methoxyisopropyl acetate
Health Canada
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
Trichloroacetic acid
Health Canada
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
Verified Feb 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR