Isopropyl Alcohol is a clear, volatile, colourless liquid alcohol widely used as a functional ingredient and solvent in cosmetic, personal-care and formulation systems. It is also known as Isopropanol, 2-Propanol and Propan-2-ol and is identified by CAS Number 67-63-0.
Isopropyl Alcohol has the molecular formula C₃H₈O and a molecular weight of approximately 60.10 g/mol. It is a low-molecular-weight secondary alcohol with high volatility and complete miscibility with water.
In cosmetic applications, Isopropyl Alcohol is primarily valued for its solvent, viscosity-controlling, antifoaming and fragrance-functional properties. COSMILE Europe lists these functions for Isopropyl Alcohol in cosmetic products.
Because Isopropyl Alcohol evaporates readily, it can support rapid-drying characteristics in selected cosmetic and personal-care formulations. Its volatility and solvent properties also make it useful for dissolving or incorporating suitable formulation components.
Isopropyl Alcohol should not be confused with Isopropyl Myristate, Isopropyl Palmitate, Isopropyl Oleate, Isopropyl Acetate or other compounds containing the term "isopropyl." These are chemically different substances with different cosmetic functions.
Isopropyl Alcohol is a three-carbon secondary alcohol with the chemical name Propan-2-ol. It is a simple aliphatic alcohol characterized by a hydroxyl group attached to the central carbon atom.
It is normally supplied as a clear, colourless, mobile and volatile liquid with a characteristic alcohol odour. Its physical properties make it suitable for applications where a fast-evaporating solvent is required.
Isopropyl Alcohol is completely miscible with water and is also compatible with many commonly used organic formulation components.
In cosmetic formulation, its principal role is generally functional rather than emollient. It can help dissolve selected ingredients, influence viscosity and contribute to the processing characteristics of certain formulations.
The primary cosmetic function of Isopropyl Alcohol is its role as a solvent. COSMILE Europe specifically identifies Isopropyl Alcohol as a cosmetic solvent used to dissolve other substances.
It can be considered in formulations where selected ingredients require a volatile alcoholic solvent to support dissolution, dispersion or processing.
Potential formulation categories include:
The suitability of Isopropyl Alcohol depends on the composition, concentration, intended use and regulatory requirements of the finished cosmetic product.
COSMILE Europe lists Isopropyl Alcohol as a viscosity-controlling ingredient.
Because it is a volatile liquid solvent, incorporation of Isopropyl Alcohol can influence the physical characteristics and viscosity of selected formulation systems.
The final viscosity should always be evaluated after complete formulation because alcohol concentration, water content, polymers, surfactants and other ingredients can significantly affect the final product.
Isopropyl Alcohol is also listed by COSMILE Europe as an antifoaming ingredient, meaning it can help suppress unwanted foam during manufacturing or application.
Its contribution depends on the formulation system and processing conditions.
COSMILE Europe identifies Isopropyl Alcohol as a fragrance-functional ingredient.
Its solvent properties can be relevant in selected fragrance-related formulations where suitable volatile solvents are required to incorporate formulation components.
Isopropyl Alcohol can be considered for use in:
The exact application and concentration should be established according to the finished-product formulation, intended use and applicable cosmetic regulations.
Isopropyl Alcohol is normally supplied as a clear, colourless liquid. PubChem describes it as a volatile, colourless liquid.
Isopropyl Alcohol is highly volatile and evaporates readily. This characteristic can be useful in formulations designed for rapid drying but should also be considered during manufacturing, filling and storage.
Isopropyl Alcohol is miscible with water, making it convenient for aqueous-alcoholic formulation systems. Commercial USP-grade specifications also identify complete miscibility with water.
USP monograph information specifies that Isopropyl Alcohol contains not less than 99.0% C₃H₈O.
Specific commercial grades may have tighter specifications, so the applicable supplier COA/TDS should be used when documenting a particular cosmetic grade.
USP specifications identify a specific gravity range of approximately 0.783–0.787, while exact measurement conditions should be stated because density varies with temperature.
A representative USP specification gives a refractive index of 1.376–1.378 at 20°C.
Water content is grade-dependent. Representative USP-oriented commercial specifications report limits such as NMT 0.5%, while some tighter commercial specifications use lower limits.
USP specifications include an acidity test. A representative monograph criterion requires no more than 0.70 mL of 0.020 N sodium hydroxide for neutralization under the specified test conditions.
USP specifications limit nonvolatile residue to NMT 0.005% under the applicable test method.
Compatibility should be evaluated with:
Formulation compatibility should be established through appropriate laboratory testing before commercial production.
Because Isopropyl Alcohol is volatile and flammable, appropriate process controls should be used during handling, mixing, filling and storage. Containers should be kept properly closed and protected from excessive heat.
USP-oriented specifications recommend preserving Isopropyl Alcohol in tight containers and keeping it away from excessive heat.
Isopropyl Alcohol can be used as a functional ingredient in:
Its principal cosmetic functions include solvent, viscosity controlling, antifoaming and fragrance-functional applications.
For cosmetic manufacturers, Isopropyl Alcohol can provide a practical volatile solvent option for formulations requiring water miscibility and rapid evaporation.
The selected grade should match the intended cosmetic application and required quality parameters. Manufacturers should evaluate assay, water content, acidity, nonvolatile residue, specific gravity, refractive index and relevant impurity parameters according to their product requirements.
Where a specific cosmetic grade is supplied, the supplier's current Certificate of Analysis (COA) and Technical Data Sheet (TDS) should be used as the controlling batch-quality documentation.
Swapnroop provides Isopropyl Alcohol for applicable cosmetic, personal-care and formulation requirements with a focus on consistent quality and commercial supply.
Key advantages include:
Isopropyl Alcohol is a three-carbon secondary alcohol, also known as Isopropanol or 2-Propanol, used in cosmetic formulations primarily as a solvent, viscosity-controlling ingredient, antifoaming ingredient and fragrance-functional component.
The CAS Number of Isopropyl Alcohol is 67-63-0.
The molecular formula is C₃H₈O, and its molecular weight is approximately 60.10 g/mol.
Yes. Isopropyl Alcohol is normally supplied as a clear, colourless and volatile liquid.
Isopropyl Alcohol is primarily used as a solvent, viscosity-controlling ingredient, antifoaming ingredient and fragrance-functional ingredient in cosmetic formulations.
Yes. Isopropyl Alcohol is miscible with water, which makes it suitable for many aqueous-alcoholic formulation systems.
USP monograph information specifies not less than 99.0% Isopropyl Alcohol. Specific commercial grades may have tighter purity specifications.
No. Isopropyl Alcohol is a small secondary alcohol, while Isopropyl Myristate is an ester used primarily as an emollient. They have different chemical structures and cosmetic functions.
No. Isopropyl Alcohol is 2-Propanol, whereas Isopropyl Acetate is an ester. They are different chemical substances with different formulation properties.
Isopropyl Alcohol is 2-Propanol (C₃H₈O), while Ethyl Alcohol is Ethanol (C₂H₆O). Both are alcohols, but they have different chemical structures, physical properties and formulation applications.
Isopropyl Alcohol should be kept in tightly closed containers and protected from excessive heat. Storage should follow the applicable grade-specific safety data sheet and technical documentation.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Colourless to light-yellow liquid or oily liquid |