Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient ester · INCI: Isopropyl Myristate
Reviewed by Elysiana Aguilar, master esthetician
How we read it
Known to clog pores. If you break out easily, this is the one to skip.
Is Isopropyl Myristate comedogenic?
Yes. Isopropyl Myristate is a known pore-clogging ingredient, and we read it as highly comedogenic. If you're acne-prone, it's worth avoiding, especially when it sits near the top of an ingredient list.
Why we read it this way
A lightweight ester used to make products feel silky and absorb fast. It is one of the most consistently listed pore-clogging ingredients across acne-safe references.
The nuance
Usually fine on dry or resilient skin, but a common trigger for oily and breakout-prone skin. Effect can depend on how much is used and the rest of the formula.
Names we read the same way
- IPM
Related ingredients
One ingredient rarely tells the whole story. The acne ingredient checker reads everything in a product at once, the pore-clogging ingredients list has the rest of what we flag, and there is more on what comedogenic means. Also in the guides: What causes acne.