Better crafting through chemistry: Esters – isopropyl myristate (IPM) – updated, 2021

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A cup of isopropyl myristate. It's being poured from a bottle into a plastic shot glass that sits on a brown coffee table.

Original post from 2009!  If you’ve been following this blog for any length of time, you’ll know I’m a fan of isopropyl myristate or IPM. I use it primarily as a dry or astringent emollient to reduce the greasy feeling of other oils in a lotion or lotion bar. You can use it in large...

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Esters: Isopropyl esters

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Isopropyl esters, like isopropyl myristate (IPM), are those based on isopropyl alcohol and a fatty acid. Esters are created by combining an alcohol and an acid, usually a fatty alcohol, like cetyl alcohol, Cetearyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, or myristyl alcohol, and a fatty acid, like lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, and stearic acid. Isopropyl esters,...

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Chemistry: Isomers and how they relate to the isopropyl esters…

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I thought I’d share a little about the chemistry of isomers before we get into isopropyl esters, like isopropyl myristate, isopropyl palmitate, isopropyl stearate, and isopropyl isostearate. I have to point out that you don’t need to know all of this to enjoy making products or using ingredients like isopropyl myristate (IPM) or isopropyl palmitate (IPP)...

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Welcome to June 2021!

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How did it get to be almost halfway through 2021 already? It’s supposed to get to 31˚C (88˚F) here today, and that’s just too hot for me, so I’m hiding in the house with my lovely air conditioner in my favourite writing chair with a pup nestled between my knees and wishing for a proper … Read more

Q&A: How can I make a product organic? Where can I find organic formulas on this site? Includes formulas for whipped butters and lotion bars

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I’m often asked about how to make a formula organic, and the simple answer is that you can substitute any oils I use for organic oils, any hydrosols or floral waters I use for organic ones, any extracts and such for any that are deemed organic. You won’t be altering the chemistry of a formula...

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