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What is "Myristyl Myristate" and what is its purpose?

What is "Myristyl Myristate" and what is its purpose?

Myristyl Myristate is a fatty alcohol that presents itself as a yellowish or white waxy solid. In addition to being suitable for all skin types (except reactive skin), it blends well with most ingredients. Found in a wide variety of skincare products, it possesses emollient, moisturising, and stabilising properties. The question that arises is: what is the utility of Myristyl Myristate? Stay focused.

Summary
Published November 5, 2021, updated on February 2, 2024, by Stéphanie, PhD, Doctorate in Life and Health Sciences — 3 min read

All you need to know about Myristyl Myristate

The Myristyl Myristate or Myristate of Myristyl is obtained through the reaction of Myristic acid and Myristyl alcohol (a saturated fatty alcohol).

Also known as tetradecanoic acid, myristic acid is naturally present in fats and oils (both vegetable and animal), particularly in:

  • Coconut oil;

  • The nutmeg oil;

  • Palm oil.

The salts of this active ingredient are obtained by reacting with basic substances such as potassium or sodium hydroxide. For instance, butyl myristate is the result of the reaction between myristic acid and butyl alcohol. As for isopropyl myristate, it is derived from myristic acid and isopropyl alcohol. Myristyl Myristate possesses emollient and moisturising virtues. This is due to the combination of fats and oils with alcohol.

Myristyl Myristate: What is its purpose?

Myristyl Myristate is an agent:

  • Opacifier: it reduces the transparency or translucency of skincare treatments;

  • Emollient: Myristyl Myristate serves as an emollient in certain treatments such as lotions, creams, and hair care products. It softens and smooths the skin. Once applied, it forms a protective barrier on the skin, shielding it from damage caused by external factors (microbes and protection).

  • On skincare: it enhances the quality of the skin and promotes its hydration.

Furthermore, this ingredient enhances the texture of skincare products. Spreading across the skin's surface, it provides a feeling of softness. It also reduces the watery sensation of lotions and creams and strengthens the spreadability of the products. Thanks to its emulsifying properties, it prevents the separation of water and oil-based components of the skincare product.

Furthermore, in addition to being suitable for a wide range of pH values, Myristyl Myristate can be combined with anionic, cationic, and non-ionic surfactants.

Myristyl Myristate: In which skincare products is it found?

Myristyl Myristate is used in a variety of skincare products. In addition to enhancing the texture of formulations, it serves to maintain their hydration.

It is present in:

  • Lip pencils;

  • Eyebrow pencils;

  • Facial creams;

  • The soaps;

  • The lotions;

  • Shaving creams;

  • The conditioners;

  • Moisturising treatments for the face and body;

  • Lip balms.

Myristic acid is present in many skincare products, at concentrations ranging from 1 to 10%.

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