What it is
Dextrin myristate is made by esterifying dextrin, a starch-derived polysaccharide, with myristic acid, a C14 fatty acid. It is used to thicken and gel oil phases, giving formulas a structured, non-greasy feel and helping stabilize pigments and other oil-dispersed ingredients. It is particularly common in anhydrous and oil-rich systems where it improves spreadability and skin feel.
Safety & warnings
Dextrin myristate is generally well tolerated in topical use, with low expected irritation and sensitization potential. It is not a known fragrance allergen; as a fatty-acid ester it is used as a structuring agent rather than a free oil.
Origin & sourcing
Synthetic ester derived from natural feedstocks: dextrin from starch and myristic acid from plant or other fatty-acid sources.
Questions everyone asks
Why is dextrin myristate used in sunscreens?
It gels and thickens oil phases, helping deliver a smooth, structured texture and keeping pigments and oils evenly dispersed.
Is dextrin myristate an oil?
No. It is a fatty-acid ester of a starch-derived polysaccharide used to gel and structure oils rather than a free oil itself.