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HEPTYL UNDECYLENATE.

Valuable CAS 68141-27-5 / SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT

Heptyl Undecylenate is a precision emollient and sensory modifier designed to elevate skin hydration and refine cosmetic textures. It effectively mitigates greasiness and enhances product spreadability, while also providing unique benefits such as solubilization for UV filters and potential antimicrobial activity.

Emollient Sensory Enhancer Reduces Greasiness Enhances Spreadability Improves Skin Feel Solubilizer Hydration Enhancer Antimicrobial Agent

Science

This ingredient primarily functions as an emollient, creating a subtle, semi-occlusive layer on the skin's surface. This barrier effectively minimizes trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL), thereby preserving optimal skin hydration and contributing to a soft, smooth, and pliable feel. Additionally, it acts as a sophisticated sensory modifier, significantly reducing the heavy or greasy sensation associated with richer oils, enhancing formulation spreadability, and improving the overall sensorial experience of cosmetic emulsions. It also serves as an efficient solubilizer for organic sunscreen filters and other lipophilic active ingredients.


Research

High confidence
Effective range 0.01–30%
Optimal

2-10%

Key findings

  1. 01 Demonstrates significant enhancement of skin hydration levels, outperforming control formulations.
  2. 02 Acts as an effective emollient in cosmetic systems, contributing to a desired smooth and soft skin feel.
  3. 03 Reduces the perception of greasiness in formulations, particularly when incorporated with natural oils.
  4. 04 Optimizes product texture by improving spreadability and overall skin feel across emulsions, oils, and sunscreens.
  5. 05 Functions as a competent solvent for liquid UV filters, potentially enhancing apparent sunscreen efficacy.
  6. 06 Exhibits notable antimicrobial activity, suggesting its utility as a natural preservative component in cosmetic formulations.

Transparency

Not commonly dusted

The Formula

Solubility
Oil
Optimal pH 3 – 8
0 7 14

Stability

Heptyl Undecylenate maintains its efficacy across a broad pH range of 3.0 to 8.0, owing to its nature as an oil-phase ingredient. It exhibits heat stability up to 80-85 °C. For maximal shelf life of up to 24 months, it should be stored in a cool, dry environment away from direct sunlight.

Synergies

  • Organic UV filters (enhances solubilization and apparent efficacy)
  • Natural oils (reduces greasy feel in formulations)

Conflicts

  • Direct addition to water-soluble actives (requires incorporation within an O/W emulsion or a bi-phase system for effective dispersion and stability)

Safety

CIR Status
Safe with restrictions
Max tested
26%
Sensitization risk Low

Reviewed by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel and deemed safe for use in cosmetics, provided formulations are non-irritating. GHS Classification indicates it does not meet hazard criteria in 100% of reports. It is characterized as non-toxic and has undergone dermatologist testing. While the CIR recommends a maximum concentration of 26% for general applications, functional concentrations can extend up to 30% in anhydrous systems.


Your Skin

Yes Normal
Yes Dry
Yes Oily
Yes Sensitive
Irritancy Low
Comedogenicity Low

Our Assessment

Valuable

Heptyl Undecylenate is a highly valuable, multi-functional ingredient that significantly enhances skin hydration, improves cosmetic texture and feel, and offers beneficial solubilizing and antimicrobial properties across diverse formulations.


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