murphyIsocetyl Stearate
AKA: 25339-09-7, Isohexadecyl stearate, Kessco ICS, Octadecanoic acid, Isohexadecyl ester, Standamul 7061, Stearic acid, Isocetyl ester, CRODAMOL ICS
Plant-Derived
Emollient
Skin Conditioner
Clean
OriginDerived from coconut, palm kernel, or soybean oils containing natural fatty acids and alcohols. Produced through esterification, combining stearyl alcohol with isocetyl acid derived from hydrogenated plant oils.
The CIR Expert Panel concluded that the alkyl esters, listed subsequently, are safe in the present practices of use and concentration described in this safety assessment when formulated to be non-irritating.
Formula
C34H68O2
Mol. Weight
508.90
CAS #
25339-09-7
Form
Liquid
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
Dryness
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
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
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewed1 paper →
⚖️Regulatory1 listing →
🛡️Safety-assessed3 reviews →
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
EWG
1
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
3 studies / 3 not sensitizing (CIR 189)
Not Phototoxic
Human test found no phototoxicity in the CIR safety assessment (CIR 189)
Eye Irritant in Testing
2 studies / 2 irritating / reactions minimal to slight (CIR 189)
Skin Irritant in Testing
7 studies / 7 irritating / reactions minimal to mild (CIR 189)
Concentration Guide
Leave-on0.1–34%
Rinse-off0.6–5%
0%50%100%
CIR reported use · 2012 survey
Regulatory Agencies
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR