Diisoamyl Malate

AKA: Diisopentyl malate, Butanedioic acid, Bis(3-methylbutyl) ester, Diisoamyl malate [INCI], Di(3-methylbutyl)hydroxybutanedioate
Synthetic
Emollient
Solvent
Skin Conditioner
Not Clean
Di(3-methylbutyl)hydroxybutanedioate
Formula
C14H26O5
Mol. Weight
274.35
CAS #
1587-19-5
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
Synthetic ester developed as a humectant and skin conditioning agent in cosmetics. Designed to improve hydration and product feel in formulations.
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
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