What a 4/5 rating means
On the comedogenic scale, a 4 is in the high-risk band, with a real likelihood of clogging pores on acne-prone skin. That means Isopropyl Palmitate deserves attention if you break out easily, especially when it appears high on an ingredient list.
One thing the number cannot tell you is concentration. Ingredients are listed in descending order, so Isopropyl Palmitate near the end of a label is present in tiny amounts and matters far less than the same ingredient near the top.
About Isopropyl Palmitate
It is a synthetic ester — an oil-and-alcohol reaction product engineered for a smooth, quick-absorbing slip. A palmitic-acid ester prized as a cheap emollient and texture enhancer. Rates 4/5 for comedogenicity, so it is a common flag in cleansers and lotions marketed to oily skin.
On a label it can read as Isopropyl Palmitate, Ipp — worth knowing when you scan an ingredient deck.
Isopropyl Palmitate in makeup and skincare
It is a workhorse of foundations, primers, sunscreens, and mascara, where a fast, silky slip sells the texture. Its irritancy is rated separately at 0/5, which is low.
If you deal with fungal acne (malassezia folliculitis) rather than ordinary clogged pores, note that Isopropyl Palmitate is among the fatty-acid or ester-type ingredients that community sources commonly avoid — a separate concern from its comedogenic score, and one with weaker evidence behind it.
Lower-rated alternatives to Isopropyl Palmitate
If you want a similar role with a friendlier comedogenic score, consider:
- Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride — comedogenic rating 1/5 (Low risk).
- Squalane — comedogenic rating 1/5 (Low risk).
Isopropyl Palmitate comedogenic FAQ
Is Isopropyl Palmitate comedogenic?
It can be. Isopropyl Palmitate is rated 4/5 (high risk) on the 0–5 comedogenic scale, so it has a real chance of clogging pores on acne-prone skin, especially high on an ingredient list.
What is the comedogenic rating of Isopropyl Palmitate?
Isopropyl Palmitate has a comedogenic rating of 4/5 (high risk). Of the 190 ingredients in our dataset with a published rating, 13 rate higher than Isopropyl Palmitate, 151 rate lower, and 25 others share its 4/5. Among the 24 rated esters, 5 rate higher and 13 lower. The figure is drawn from 2 cited sources, listed on this page.
Is Isopropyl Palmitate pore-clogging?
It is one of the more likely ones. At 4/5, Isopropyl Palmitate is in the high-risk band. It matters most when it appears near the top of an ingredient list, where it makes up a larger share of the product. Comedogenic ratings come mostly from rabbit-ear assays and small human patch tests of the pure ingredient at high concentration, so they are a screening guide, not a prediction for your skin or a medical claim.