Isohexyl Laurate

AKA: Dodecanoic acid, 1-methylpentyl ester, 55194-05-3, Hexan-2-yl dodecanoate, Sec-Hexyl laurate, HKJSIRGFHAJVGR-UHFFFAOYSA-N

Synthetic

Emollient

Skin Conditioner

Not Clean

Sec-hexyl laurate

Formula

C18H36O2

Mol. Weight

284.50

CAS #

55194-05-3

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 combining isohexyl alcohol with lauric acid (from coconut and palm oils). Created to provide the emollient benefits of natural fatty acids in a stable, cosmetic-grade ingredient.

EWG

CIR

Safe as used

Pregnancy

Yes

CIR Safety Findings

Not a Sensitizer

medical-approval

all-shades-safe

Regulatory Status

USA✔ permitted

EU⚠ restricted

JAPAN⚠ restricted

CANADA⚠ restricted

Regulatory Agencies

EWG CIR FDA EU COSING Health Canada

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