What it is
Magnesium Myristate is a fine, soft metallic soap of a fatty acid that imparts a smooth, silky feel to powder products. In pressed and loose powders it improves slip, adhesion to skin, and resistance to caking. It serves a cosmetic texture function and is not a UV filter.
Safety & warnings
Generally well tolerated and widely used in powder cosmetics. As an inhalable powder, loose-powder formats should be used to avoid inhaling the product. It is not associated with significant comedogenicity at typical use levels.
Origin & sourcing
Synthetic; produced by reacting a magnesium source with myristic acid, a fatty acid that can be sourced from plant or animal fats.
Questions everyone asks
What does magnesium myristate do in powders?
It improves slip and adhesion and prevents caking, giving powders a smoother, silkier feel and better skin contact.
Is it a UV filter?
No. It is a texture and anticaking agent and provides no sun protection.