Isocetyl Ethylhexanoate
molecular structure · PubChem
AKA: Pelemol ICO, 125804-19-5, Isocetyl 2-ethylhexanoate, Hexanoic acid, Isohexadecyl ester, ISOCETYL ETHYLHEXANOATE [INCI]
Synthetic
Emollient
Skin Conditioner
Not Clean
Hexanoic acid, 2-ethyl-, isohexadecyl ester
Effective at 38.9%
Formula
C24H48O2
Mol. Weight
368.60
CAS #
125804-19-5
Form
Liquid
Functions
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.
Locks In Moisture
Traditional Use
Synthetic ester formulated as a cosmetic emollient in the late 20th century. Designed to provide a lightweight, non-greasy feel while conditioning the skin in modern cosmetic products.
EWG
4
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Concentration Guide
0.5%
77.3%
0%100%
Reported use
CIR reported use: 13-27 | 1-22 | 0.5-77.3
Regulatory Agencies
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
Dryness
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewed1 paper →
⚖️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