Diisostearyl Malate is a skin-conditioning emollient and ester commonly used in lip care, color cosmetics, creams, and other personal care formulas to create a smooth, cushiony, glossy feel. It is made by combining malic acid with isostearyl alcohol, producing a rich, oil-like ingredient that helps soften the skin, improve product glide, and give formulas a more elegant texture.

INCI Name: Diisostearyl Malate
CAS Number: 81230-05-9

Ingredient Type: Emollient, skin-conditioning agent, texture enhancer, glossing agent
Common Use: Lip balms, lipsticks, glosses, cream blushes, tinted moisturizers, moisturizers, and anhydrous skin care formulas

In skin care and lip care, Diisostearyl Malate helps reduce dryness by leaving the surface of the skin or lips feeling smoother and more flexible. It does not hydrate the way humectants such as glycerin or hyaluronic acid do. Instead, it works more like a comfort ingredient, helping reinforce softness and reduce the rough, dry feel that comes from moisture loss or environmental exposure. This makes it especially useful in balms, sticks, and creams where cushion, slip, and lasting comfort matter.

Formulators often choose Diisostearyl Malate because it offers excellent pigment dispersion, shine, and adhesion. In lip products, it helps color spread evenly and stay comfortable without feeling gritty or waxy. In creams and balms, it improves glide and gives the formula a richer, more polished application. It can also help balance heavier waxes or oils so the finished product feels smoother and less draggy.

Diisostearyl Malate is not generally considered an active treatment ingredient. Its value comes from sensorial performance, skin feel, and formula stability. It helps products feel more luxurious while supporting the appearance of smoother, better-conditioned skin or lips. It is listed in Whole Foods Market’s Body Care ingredient standards, where it appears as a body care ingredient entry.