DiethylhexylCarbonate ●
TL;DR. It is a lightweight emollient and solvent that improves slip, spreadability, and a dry, non-greasy finish in skin care, sunscreen, makeup, and hair products. It can help dissolve lipophilic UV filters and disperse pigments.
What does DiethylhexylCarbonate do in a cosmetic formula?
It is a lightweight emollient and solvent that improves slip, spreadability, and a dry, non-greasy finish in skin care, sunscreen, makeup, and hair products. It can help dissolve lipophilic UV filters and disperse pigments.
Is DiethylhexylCarbonate clean?
From a clean-beauty perspective, it is generally low-irritation and not a common allergen or preservative-type restricted ingredient. The main friction is that it is synthetic and may not fit natural-only frameworks.
Is DiethylhexylCarbonate sustainable?
It is typically petrochemical-derived, though supplier-specific bio-based routes may exist. It is generally regarded as readily biodegradable, with lower persistence concerns than silicone oils.
Is DiethylhexylCarbonate COSMOS-approved?
It is generally not permitted in COSMOS-natural or COSMOS-organic formulas because it sits outside the standard’s natural-derived ingredient framework. Its biodegradability supports Green Chemistry alignment, while synthetic processing and nonrenewable feedstock limit it.
How does DiethylhexylCarbonate work chemically?
The molecule is a branched, nonpolar carbonate diester with high spreading, low viscosity, and good compatibility with oils, waxes, pigments, and many organic sunscreen filters. It is commonly used around 1 to 15% in leave-on formulas, is not pH-active in oil phases, and is more oxidation-stable than unsaturated plant oils.
Last updated 2026-08-26