Ingredient decoder

Ethylhexyl myristate: is it comedogenic? What it does in skincare

INCI name: Ethylhexyl Myristate

Acne verdict Moderate clog risk

Rated a pore-clogger

  • ComedogenicNo published rating
  • IrritancyNo published rating

What it does

Softening ester in the myristate family, may clog pores.

  • Emollient

Ethylhexyl myristate in plain English

Ethylhexyl myristate is an emollient ester that softens skin and helps products spread. It belongs to the same myristate family as isopropyl myristate, which rates high on classic comedogenic lists. Keep in mind these ratings come from old rabbit-ear tests of the raw ingredient, which can overstate the risk of a small amount in a finished product.

Is ethylhexyl myristate bad for acne?

It can be. Ethylhexyl myristate has a moderate clog risk rating for acne-prone skin. It has no score of its own in Fulton's 1989 table and is flagged on classic comedogenic lists, often because of its chemical family. If you break out easily, check where it sits on the ingredient list: the higher it appears, the more of it the product usually contains.

Why it is flagged: A myristate ester in the same family as isopropyl myristate.

Clean routine and still breaking out? The cause may be internal. See what is driving it

Also called

  • Ethylhexyl Myristate
  • Octyl myristate

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Frequently asked questions

Is ethylhexyl myristate comedogenic?

Ethylhexyl myristate has no score of its own in Fulton's 1989 rabbit-ear table, but it is flagged as a pore-clogger on classic comedogenic lists. A myristate ester in the same family as isopropyl myristate.

What does ethylhexyl myristate do in skincare?

In short: softening ester in the myristate family, may clog pores. In formulas it is used for emollient.

What else is ethylhexyl myristate called on ingredient labels?

On ingredient lists, ethylhexyl myristate can also appear as Octyl myristate.

Sources