What Is Didecyl adipate?

Learn about the film-forming, plasticizer, and skin conditioning emollient characteristics of Didecyl adipate and its usage in personal care products.

What Is Didecyl adipate? Brandon Jones / IngredientReviewer

Last Updated: October 2, 2024

Written by Brandon Jones

What Is Didecyl adipate?

Section Link

Didecyl adipate is a substance commonly used in cosmetics that has several functions. First, it forms a thin layer on the surface of the skin, which helps to keep other cosmetic ingredients in place. It also acts as a plasticizer, which means it makes other substances more flexible and less likely to break or crack. Finally, didecyl adipate works as an emollient, which means it helps to moisturize and soften the skin. It may also be known by other names such as dicapryl adipate or didecyl hexanedioate.

What is the purpose of Didecyl adipate in personal care products? It is used for its film-forming, plasticizer, and skin conditioning emollient characteristics. Didecyl adipate creates a thin layer on the skin/nails/hair, makes materials softer and flexible, and hydrates skin to prevent dryness.

Names and identifiers that we found for this substance include: Didecyl adipate, Didecyl hexanedioate, Dicapryl Adipate, and "Hexanedioic acid, didecyl ester".

What Are Film-Forming Ingredients?

Section Link

Didecyl adipate has film-forming characteristics.

Film-forming ingredients are used in many cosmetic products, including skincare, haircare, and makeup. These ingredients can have different chemical compositions and functions, but they all share the goal of creating a film on the surface they are applied on.

In skincare products, film-forming ingredients are often used to create a barrier on the skin's surface that helps to lock in moisture. This can benefit people with dry or sensitive skin, as it can help to prevent the skin from becoming dehydrated and irritated. Some film-forming ingredients can also provide a temporary tightening or lifting effect, which can help reduce the visibility of lines and wrinkles on your skin.

In haircare products, film-forming ingredients can help smooth and protect the hair cuticle, making hair look shinier and feel smoother. Film-forming ingredients can also help to protect hair from environmental stressors like heat styling and pollution.

In makeup products, film-forming ingredients can help create a smooth, even base for additional products like foundation or powder. They can also help to improve the wear time of makeup products by creating a barrier that helps to keep them in place.

What Are Plasticizer Ingredients?

Section Link

Didecyl adipate has plasticizer characteristics.

Polymers are materials made up of many smaller units called monomers, and they can be found in many products we use every day, including cosmetics. However, some polymers can be stiff and difficult to work with, and that's where plasticizers come in. Plasticizers are ingredients used in cosmetic products to soften and make synthetic polymers more flexible.

Plasticizers make the polymers more supple, making it easier to spread, deform, or work with the product. Without plasticizers, some synthetic polymers would be too rigid to be used in cosmetic products, as they would not be able to spread evenly over the skin or be easily applied to the desired area. Therefore, plasticizers are an essential ingredient in many cosmetic products, helping to make them more user-friendly and effective.

Plasticizers are commonly used in products beyond cosmetics, including plastics, coatings, adhesives, etc. In these applications, plasticizers serve a similar purpose of improving the flexibility and workability of synthetic polymers.

What Are Skin Conditioning Emollient Ingredients?

Section Link

Didecyl adipate has skin conditioning emollient characteristics.

Skin conditioning emollients help improve the skin's texture and appearance while providing it with the necessary hydration to prevent dryness and flakiness. Emollients are lubricants that create a barrier on the skin's surface to trap moisture, which helps prevent dryness and dehydration.

Skin conditioning emollients are commonly found in cosmetics such as moisturizers and lotions, which significantly help maintain healthy and youthful-looking skin. Emollients are typically made from natural oils, such as coconut or jojoba, and can also contain humectants that draw moisture to the skin's surface.

Safety

Section Link

Remember, always read and follow the instructions provided on product labels carefully. If you have any questions or concerns about using a product containing various ingredients, consult with your doctor or healthcare provider before use.