DIISOPROPYL ADIPATE

📋 Quick facts

Description: DIISOPROPYL ADIPATE — lightweight, fast-absorbing emollient.

All Functions: lightweight, fast-absorbing emollient

Quick Facts:

• Category: emollient
• Comedogenic Rating: 2/5

Proven Benefits At A Glance:

• Diisopropyl adipate (DIA) is a plasticizer used in cosmetics and topical products as an alternative to phthalate esters
• In laboratory studies, DIA activated TRPA1 channels on sensory nerve cells, similar to phthalate esters
• In mouse models, DIA enhanced skin sensitization responses to a test allergen
• The sensitization-enhancing effect of DIA could be blocked with a TRPA1-blocking compound in animal studies
• Research suggests the immune-boosting effects of DIA may warrant consideration when used in topical skincare products

⚗️ Chemical Overview

Diisopropyl adipate is an isopropyl ester and a fatty acid ester. structure given in first source See also: Aluminum Chloride (related); Calcium Sulfate (related); Monosodium Glutamate (related) … View More …

Source(s): Medical Subject Headings (MeSH), ChEBI, PubChem, via PubChem

📊 Comedogenicity

2/5

🛡️ Safety rating

Safety tier is a starting heuristic from regulatory status and comedogenic rating, not a dermatological verdict — see our Terms for the full disclaimer. Research confidence reflects how many real cited studies back this ingredient, not the strength of their findings.

🌍 Regulatory Status

💧 Skin Type Compatibility

Derived from this ingredient’s irritancy potential and comedogenicity rating against the needs of each skin type — e.g. oily and acne-prone skin are marked down for pore-clogging ingredients, sensitive skin for irritants. A starting heuristic, not a dermatological verdict.

⚠️ Don’t Combine With

📚 Research & Evidence

🔬 The Science

Diisopropyl adipate is a plasticizer—a chemical that makes materials more flexible—increasingly used in cosmetics and topical drug formulations as companies seek alternatives to phthalate esters, which have raised health concerns (Biol Pharm Bull, 2015). Understanding what happens when DIA contacts skin requires some background: your skin contains sensory neurons with specialized proteins called TRPA1 channels that detect irritants and help trigger immune responses. #1: Research shows that DIA activates TRPA1 channels on these neurons, as demonstrated in laboratory cells (Chinese hamster ovary cells engineered to express TRPA1). The activation was confirmed through calcium mobilization assays and was specifically blocked by HC-030031, a TRPA1-specific antagonist, confirming the channel was responsible (Biol Pharm Bull, 2015).

#2: When applied to mouse skin during a sensitization process with an allergen called fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC), DIA enhanced the skin’s allergic response—measured by ear swelling—in a manner comparable to dibutyl phthalate (DBP), a known problematic phthalate (Biol Pharm Bull, 2015). #3: DIA promoted the trafficking of immune cells (CD11c+ dendritic cells) to lymph nodes and boosted interferon-gamma production, though its effect on interleukin-4 production was weaker than DBP’s (Biol Pharm Bull, 2015). The researchers conclude that while DIA may serve as a chemical alternative to phthalates, its ability to activate TRPA1 and enhance skin sensitization suggests its use in topical products warrants careful consideration.

However, these findings come from controlled laboratory and animal studies; direct translation to real-world skincare use in humans remains unclear from the available research.

📄 Related Research

Matched by search — not necessarily verified support for every statement above.

• Kurohane K et al. (2015). Adjuvant Effect of an Alternative Plasticizer, Diisopropyl Adipate, on a Contact Hypersensitivity Mouse Model: Link with Sensory Ion Channel TRPA1 Activation. Biol Pharm Bull.

🧴 Products Containing DIISOPROPYL ADIPATE

• Neutrogena Protetor Solar Facial Neutrogena Sun Fresh FPS30 40g
• Les Cosmetiques Aceite solar coco spf6 sun ultimate pistola
• Les Cosmetiques Aceite solar coco spf30 sun ultimate spray
• acofarderm Gel facial invisible fotoprotector spf 50+
• Eau Thermale Avene Lait solaire enfant SPF 50
• Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion SPF 50
• Edgewell, Hawaiian Tropic Sheer Touch Oil-free Sunscreen Lotion SPF 15
• Hawaiian Tropic Hawaiian Tropic Island Sport
• Lovozon, Müller Med Sonnenbalsam 50+
• today men aftershave DARK INTENSE
• A-Derma Spray Protect Kids SPF50+
• Man, Man Men’s Care, Men’s Care French Boy eau de toilette après rasage
• Today sun Sonnencreme Sensitiv 50+ (kids)
• Garnier delial Ambre Solaire Invisible protect refresh 50
• SunMed Spray Solar 50+
• Sun Ozon Sonnenmilch
• Klorane Nutri-réparation
• Avène Lait SPF 50+
• Klorane Spray solaire sublime
• Klorane Lait solaire très haute protection SPF 50+
• Avène Eau thermale SPF 20
• Avène, Eau Thermale Avène Très Haute Protection Spray 50+ SPF
• Klorane Crème solaire Enfant SPF 50+ Peaux sensibles & Visage
• Klorane Spray Solaire enfant au calendula protecteur SPF50+ visage et corps
• Eau Thermale Avene Lait solaire enfant SPF 50
• Eau Thermale Avene Spray Solaire enfant SPF 50
• Bioderma sebium
• Garnier Ambre solaire
• Garnier Enfant sensitive expert + Spf 50+ Spay
• Adidas Adidas Control Anti-Transpirant Spray
• SVR sun secure
• Mussofi Sérum Unifiant Anti-Taches
• Sunozon Sonnenmilch 30 LSF
• Sun Ozon Sun Ozon Sensitiv Sonnenfluid
• SUNOZON Sonnenmilch LSF 30
• Malibu Malibu KIDS 50 SPF Lotion
• Elle basic as Fab Dry Shampoo Brunettes 200ml
• Kruidvat Solait 50+
• Blistex Lip Medex
• Hawaiian Tropic ozono