Diethylhexyl Adipate
molecular structure · PubChem
AKA: BIS(2-ETHYLHEXYL) ADIPATE, 103-23-1, Di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate, DEHA, Bis(2-ethylhexyl)hexanedioate, Bis(2-ethylhexyl) hexanedioate, BEHA, Plastomoll DOA, Vestinol OA
Synthetic
Emollient
Occlusive
Solvent
Skin Conditioner
Not Clean
Bis(2-ethylhexyl) adipate is a diester resulting from the formal condensation of the carboxy groups of adipic acid with 2-ethylhexan-1-ol. It is used as a plasticiser in the preparation of various polymers. It has a role as a plasticiser. It is a member of dicarboxylic acids and O-substituted derivatives, a carboxylic ester and a diester. It is functionally related to a 2-ethylhexan-1-ol and an adipic acid.
Effective at 19.05%
Solubility less than 0.1 mg/mL at 72 °F (NTP, 1992)
Formula
C22H42O4
Mol. Weight
370.60
CAS #
103-23-1
Form
Powder
State
Bis(2-ethylhexyl) adipate is a colorless to straw-colored liquid with a mild odor. Floats on water. (USCG, 1999)
Functions
Film Forming
Creates a physical seal on skin to lock moisture in and keep irritants out. The "slugging" ingredient — barrier protection.
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
Synthetic ester developed in the mid-20th century as an emollient and plasticizer for cosmetics. Designed to provide superior spreadability and conditioning compared to earlier alternatives.
EWG
4
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Concentration Guide
0.1%
38.0%
0%53%
Reported use
CIR reported use: 0.1-25 | 0.4-38 | 0.6-14
Regulatory Agencies
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
Dryness
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