Dibutyloctyl Malate

AKA: 399551-19-0, 4-[(5-BUTYLDODECAN-5-YL)OXY]-3-HYDROXY-4-OXOBUTANOATE, 4-(5-butyldodecan-5-yloxy)-3-hydroxy-4-oxobutanoate
Synthetic
Emollient
Solvent
Skin Conditioner
Not Clean
Butanedioic Acid, Hydroxy-,Bis(2-Butyloctyl)Ester
Formula
C20H37O5-
Mol. Weight
357.50
CAS #
399551-19-0
Form
Liquid
Functions
Plasticiser
Skin Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Emollient
Fills in the tiny cracks between skin cells to make everything feel smooth and soft. The "silky finish" ingredient.
Solvent
Dissolves other ingredients so they distribute evenly in the formula. Often the invisible "base" everything else is mixed into.
Locks In Moisture
Traditional Use
Modern synthetic ester created for advanced cosmetic formulations. Designed to provide conditioning and light texture benefits in contemporary skincare and color cosmetic products.
EWG
4
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Regulatory Status
USApermitted
EUrestricted
JAPANrestricted
CANADArestricted
Skin Types
all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewednone on file
⚖️Regulatory1 listing
🛡️Safety-assessed1 review
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR