Isopropyl Cresols
molecular structure · PubChem
AKA: 4-Isopropyl-3-methylphenol, 3228-02-2, 3-Methyl-4-isopropylphenol, O-CYMEN-5-OL, 3-methyl-4-propan-2-ylphenol, 3-Methyl-4-(1-methylethyl)phenol
Synthetic
Preservative
Not Clean
The CIR Expert panel concludes Sodium p-Chloro-m-Cresol, p-Chloro-m-Cresol, Chlorothymol, m-Cresol, o-Cresol, Isopropyl Cresols, Thymol, o-Cymen-5-ol, Cavacrol are safe at concentrations up to 0.5% in cosmetics; however, the available data are insufficient to support the safety of p-Cresol and Mixed Cresols for use in cosmetic products.
Formula
C10H14O
Mol. Weight
150.22
CAS #
3228-02-2
Form
Liquid
Functions
Preservative
Keeps your product from growing bacteria, mold, or yeast. Without these, that jar of cream becomes a petri dish in about a week.
Preserves Formula
Wound Healing
Antioxidant Protection
Reduces Inflammation
Prevents microbial growth
Traditional Use
Synthetic phenolic compounds developed in the 20th century as antimicrobial and antioxidant agents in cosmetics. Used to preserve products and prevent microbial contamination.
EWG
4
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Caution
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Concentration Guide
0.1%
0%0%
Reg. Limit
EU regulatory limit: 0.1%. Source: EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) 1223/2009, Annex V (Preservatives), Entry 38.
Regulatory Agencies
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Caution
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewednone on file
⚖️Regulatory1 listing →
🛡️Safety-assessed2 reviews →
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR