Baby Safety / Compounds / Isopropyl myristate

Is Isopropyl myristate safe for babies and kids?

High risk for kids

Infants are more vulnerable to Isopropyl myristate than children or adults due to immature hepatic/renal clearance, higher intake-to-body-weight ratio, rapid organ development, and increased gastrointestinal absorption.

What is isopropyl myristate?

The IUPAC name is propan-2-yl tetradecanoate.

Also known as: propan-2-yl tetradecanoate, Isopropyl tetradecanoate, Isomyst, Tetradecanoic acid, 1-methylethyl ester.

IUPAC name
propan-2-yl tetradecanoate
CAS number
110-27-0
Molecular formula
C17H34O2
Molecular weight
270.5 g/mol
SMILES
CCCCCCCCCCCCCC(=O)OC(C)C
PubChem CID
8042

Risk for babies

High risk

Infants are more vulnerable to Isopropyl myristate than children or adults due to immature hepatic/renal clearance, higher intake-to-body-weight ratio, rapid organ development, and increased gastrointestinal absorption.

Neonates and infants up to 12 months have incomplete blood-brain barrier development, immature Phase I/II metabolic enzymes (particularly CYP3A4, UGT1A1), and higher gastrointestinal permeability. Equivalent doses produce higher internal concentrations and longer residence times.

What to do: Minimize infant exposure through source control. For breastfeeding mothers: reduce maternal exposure. For formula-fed infants: use certified low-migration bottles and verified water sources. Consult pediatrician regarding any concerns.

Risk for pregnant and nursing people

Context-dependent

Pregnancy alters the metabolism and distribution of Isopropyl myristate, potentially increasing fetal exposure. The developing embryo/fetus is vulnerable during organogenesis (weeks 3-8) and neurological development. Placental transfer should be assumed.

No specific reproductive toxicity data identified, but pregnancy-specific safety data is limited for most chemicals. Precautionary minimization of exposure is recommended.

What to do: Minimize exposure during pregnancy and lactation. Consult healthcare provider regarding specific risks. Consider alternative products with lower hazard profiles.

Regulatory consensus

1 regulatory bodyhas classified Isopropyl myristate.

AgencyYearClassificationNotes
EPA CTX / Genetox—Genotoxicity: negative (Ames: negative, 0 positive / 3 negative reports)

Regulators apply different standards of evidence — animal-data weighting, exposure-pattern assumptions, epidemiological power thresholds — which is why two scientific bodies can review the same data and reach different conclusions. The disagreement is the data.

Where kids encounter isopropyl myristate

  • Consumer Products — Cosmetics, Self-tanning products, Moisturizers, Pharmaceutical creams
  • Fragrance — perfume, cologne, scented personal care products, household fragrance products, candles
    Identified in Fragrance Ingredient Safety Priority Research database (2,325 ingredients)

Safer alternatives

Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to Isopropyl myristate:

  • Fragrance-free formulations
    Trade-offs: Consumer preference for scented products
    Relative cost: Lower (ingredient elimination)
  • Essential oil-based fragrances (with disclosure)
    Trade-offs: Natural does not mean safe — many essential oils are skin sensitizers
    Relative cost: 2-5× conventional

Frequently asked questions

Is isopropyl myristate safe for kids?

Infants are more vulnerable to Isopropyl myristate than children or adults due to immature hepatic/renal clearance, higher intake-to-body-weight ratio, rapid organ development, and increased gastrointestinal absorption.

What products contain isopropyl myristate?

Isopropyl myristate appears in: Cosmetics (Consumer products); Self-tanning products (Consumer products); perfume (Fragrance); cologne (Fragrance).

What should I do if my child is exposed to isopropyl myristate?

Minimize infant exposure through source control. For breastfeeding mothers: reduce maternal exposure. For formula-fed infants: use certified low-migration bottles and verified water sources. Consult pediatrician regarding any concerns.

See Isopropyl myristate in the baby app

Look up products containing isopropyl myristate, compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.

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Sources (3)
  1. PubChem Compound CID 8042 — database
  2. EPA CompTox Chemicals Dashboard — DTXSID0026838 — epa
  3. ATSDR Toxicological Profile — CAS 110-27-0 — reference

Reference data, not professional advice. Aggregates publicly available regulatory and scientific data; not a substitute for veterinary, medical, legal, or regulatory advice. Why we built ALETHEIA →