Isomerized Linoleic Acid

Isomerized Linoleic Acid 1
Isomerized Linoleic Acid 2
Isomerized Linoleic Acid 3
Isomerized Linoleic Acid 4
AKA: Polymerized Linoleic Acid
Synthetic
Occlusive
Skin Conditioner
Plant Oil
Acid
Clean
9,12-octadecadienoic acid, isomerized
Form
Powder
State
Solid
Functions
Film Forming
Creates a physical seal on skin to lock moisture in and keep irritants out. The "slugging" ingredient — barrier protection.
Skin Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Locks in moisture
Traditional Use
Modern synthetic derivative of linoleic acid (an essential fatty acid found in plants). Chemically modified to improve stability in cosmetics while retaining skin-conditioning properties of the natural precursor.
EWG
1
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
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
Dryness
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewed1 paper →
⚖️Regulatory1 listing →
🛡️Safety-assessed2 reviews →
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
Verified Jun 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR