Diisostearyl Malate is an ester of malic acid and isostearyl alcohol used as an emollient and binder, particularly common in lipsticks and other anhydrous color cosmetics where it imparts gloss, spreadability, and pigment dispersion. It functions as a base/formulation ingredient rather than a therapeutic active.
| Reported effect | How often | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Skin or lip irritation | Rare | Mild irritation occasionally reported, generally in sensitive individuals. |
Allergic contact dermatitis / cheilitis | Rare | Isolated case reports, primarily related to lip products. |
Comedogenicity / acneiform breakouts | Uncommon | Possible in acne-prone users due to its occlusive, oily ester nature. |
Frequencies reflect typical cosmetic use reported in the literature, not a guarantee for your skin.
Peer-reviewed papers on this ingredient, via PubMed.