Isopropyl Myristate (IPM) 99% – Solvent & Carrier Oil | Perfumery Raw Material

Isopropyl Myristate (IPM) 99% – Solvent & Carrier Oil

Isopropyl myristate is not a fragrance material. It is the tool that makes fragrance materials dosable in the first place.

A clear, practically odourless oil, as thin as water and yet not volatile. Where ethanol evaporates and DPG stays viscous and heavy, IPM sits exactly in between: it carries without becoming tacky, and it does not disappear.

Role in the formula

IPM is the standard diluent of the oil phase. It brings fragrance concentrates, absolutes and expensive captives down to a concentration you can work with cleanly – 1%, 10%, 20%, depending on the material. Anyone dosing with a pipette instead of a precision balance needs exactly that.

Its own olfactory contribution is close to zero. At high dosage a very quiet, oily-fatty underlay remains – noticeable only if you deliberately look for it.

Use in perfumery

• Oil perfume, roll-on, balm: carrier phase, typically 50–90%.
• Laboratory dilutions: breaking concentrates down to 1–10% to make dosing and odour evaluation easier.
• Room spray and body oil: the low viscosity of 5–6 mPa·s gives a fine spray pattern without the heavy drag of jojoba or fractionated coconut oil.
• Diffusers: travels well up the reed and leaves no greasy rim. Release is slower than with ethanol, faster than with DPG.

Practical note: dosing, storing, combining

IPM or DPG? DPG is cheaper and often sufficient for diffusers and dilutions. IPM is lighter, sprays finer and feels considerably more pleasant on the skin. In practice the two are blended – IPM wherever skin feel or spray pattern matters.

Not water-soluble. Practically insoluble, below 0.05 mg/L. A solubiliser is mandatory for water-based sprays. On textiles, lacquered surfaces and some plastics IPM can leave oily rims – test room sprays on a concealed spot first.

Storage. Cool, dry, tightly closed and protected from light. The flash point is above 150 °C, so this is not a flammable liquid – transport and storage are correspondingly uncomplicated.

Safety information

Under CLP, IPM is not classified as hazardous: no hazard pictogram, no signal word, no entry in Annex VI. Prolonged skin contact can nevertheless be irritating – the usual protective measures for fragrance materials still apply: gloves and eye protection when working with open containers.

Note for skin products: IPM is considered comedogenic (rated 4–5 out of 5) and acts as a penetration enhancer. For facial products and blemish-prone skin it is therefore the wrong choice, even though it is toxicologically harmless. For perfume on wrist, neck and décolleté this is irrelevant.

Physico-Chemical Properties

FAQ

What do I need isopropyl myristate for?
To dilute fragrance materials and to build oil-based perfumes. IPM replaces ethanol wherever nothing is supposed to evaporate: oil perfume, roll-on, room spray, diffuser.

Does IPM smell of anything?
Practically not. Its odour contribution is rated 5 out of 100. Only at very high dosage does a quiet oily-fatty underlay remain.

IPM or DPG – when do I use which?
DPG is cheaper and usually sufficient for diffusers and simple dilutions. IPM is thinner, sprays finer and feels lighter on the skin. For anything that goes onto skin or is sprayed, IPM is the better choice.

How much do I use?
As the carrier phase in an oil perfume, 50–90%. For laboratory dilutions of concentrates, usually enough to leave 1–10% active material. Typical share in a finished formula: around 20%.

Can I make a water-based spray with it?
Not without a solubiliser. IPM is practically water-insoluble and will otherwise separate again.

Is IPM skin-friendly?
Toxicologically harmless and not classified as a hazardous substance. It is, however, considered comedogenic and should therefore not go into facial products or onto blemish-prone skin. For perfume on wrist and neck it is unproblematic.

Is IPM flammable?
No. The flash point is above 150 °C, so IPM does not count as a flammable liquid. As soon as ethanol is added, that changes of course.

Important note

Sold exclusively as a raw material for further processing by knowledgeable users. Not for undiluted application, not for consumption. Keep out of reach of children.