What Is Disteareth-75 Ipdi?
Disteareth-75 Ipdi is a synthetic ingredient created by linking long fatty alcohol chains derived from stearic acid with polyethylene glycol units and a ring-shaped molecule called isophorone diisocyanate. The result is a waxy, high-molecular-weight compound that can dissolve in oil or water-based systems, giving formulators plenty of flexibility. It first appeared in the late 1990s when chemists were looking for safer ways to make lotions and creams feel elegant without heavy silicones. Production involves reacting stearyl alcohol with ethylene oxide to build the “disteareth-75” portion, then coupling it with isophorone diisocyanate under carefully controlled temperatures to form the final carbamate structure. You will most often spot Disteareth-75 Ipdi in moisturizing creams, anti-aging serums, rinse-off masks, sunscreens, conditioners and styling products where a silky texture and stable viscosity are must-haves.
Disteareth-75 Ipdi’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses
In skin and hair care formulas Disteareth-75 Ipdi serves one main purpose: it controls viscosity. By thickening the product or keeping it from becoming too runny, it ensures the texture stays smooth and easy to spread from the first dip to the last drop. Stable viscosity also helps suspend active ingredients evenly, improving performance and giving the user a consistent experience every time they apply the product.
Who Can Use Disteareth-75 Ipdi
Disteareth-75 Ipdi is considered gentle enough for most skin types, including dry, normal, oily and combination skin. Because it does not add oil on its own and stays lightweight in formulas, it rarely feels heavy or clogs pores, making it a match for acne-prone skin as well. Sensitive skin usually tolerates it, though anyone with a history of reacting to polyethylene glycol derivatives should take extra care.
The ingredient is made in a lab from plant-derived fatty alcohols and petroleum-free ethylene oxide, so it contains no animal parts or by-products. This makes it suitable for vegans and vegetarians.
No data link Disteareth-75 Ipdi to harm during pregnancy or while breastfeeding when used on the skin in typical cosmetic amounts. Still, this text is not medical advice and anyone who is pregnant or nursing should run new products by a qualified health professional before use.
Disteareth-75 Ipdi is not known to cause photosensitivity, so it will not make skin more prone to sunburn. It can be found in both leave-on and rinse-off products without special sun care warnings.
Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions
Side effects from topical use of Disteareth-75 Ipdi differ from person to person. The points below outline potential reactions, but most users will not experience them when the ingredient is used correctly in a well-made product.
- Mild skin redness or itching
- Transient stinging on very sensitive or broken skin
- Contact dermatitis in individuals allergic to polyethylene glycol derivatives
- Eye irritation if the raw ingredient gets into the eyes before it is diluted in a finished product
If any of these effects occur, stop using the product and seek advice from a healthcare professional.
Comedogenic Rating
Rating: 1 out of 5
Disteareth-75 Ipdi is structurally bulky and highly ethoxylated, which keeps it mostly on the skin’s surface and limits its ability to clog pores. It does not add significant oil to a formula and it rinses away easily in cleansing products, so the likelihood of it trapping sebum or dead cells is low.
Suitable for acne-prone or breakout-prone skin, though individual reactions can vary.
Because the ingredient is almost always used at low concentrations and is combined with other emulsifiers or thickeners, its already minimal comedogenic potential is further diluted in finished products.
Summary
Disteareth-75 Ipdi is mainly a viscosity controller that keeps creams, lotions and hair products at the ideal thickness for smooth application and even distribution. Its long fatty chains give formulas body while the polyethylene glycol segments attract water, letting it stabilize both oil and water phases in one step.
The ingredient enjoys moderate popularity among formulators looking for a silicone-free way to add slip and stability. You will see it more often in niche or higher-end products than on every drugstore shelf, largely because it costs more than simpler thickeners.
Overall safety data are reassuring. No links to hormone disruption, toxicity or photosensitivity have been reported when used at standard cosmetic levels. As with any new skincare ingredient, try a small patch test when you first encounter Disteareth-75 Ipdi to make sure your skin agrees with it.