The ingredient narratives reshaping clean beauty.
Dimethyl Isosorbide
aka DMI · dimethyl isosorbide sorbitol-derived
Penetration-enhancing sorbitol-derived solvent used in bioavailability-optimised retinoid formulations. Significantly improves dermal delivery of lipophilic actives including hydroxypinacolone retinoate.
- Penetration enhancer — increases dermal delivery of lipophilic actives
- Solubilises retinoids and poorly water-soluble actives
- Low skin irritation profile
- Biodegradable — sorbitol-derived
- Improves homogeneous active distribution in formulation
- Bioavailability-optimised vitamin A creams
- Retinoid serums
- Drug delivery enhanced formulations
- Anti-ageing actives vehicles
- Brightening serum bases
Bio-derived from sorbitol. Miscible with water and most cosmetic solvents. Typically used at 5–20% for meaningful penetration enhancement.
At high concentrations can increase percutaneous absorption beyond desired levels for co-formulated ingredients — must be assessed holistically. Enhanced penetration applies to all co-formulated ingredients, not only the target active.
Generally accepted in clean beauty given sorbitol origin. Valued in efficacy-first formulations.
The ingredient narratives reshaping clean beauty.
Dimethyl Isosorbide
aka DMI · dimethyl isosorbide sorbitol-derived
Penetration-enhancing sorbitol-derived solvent used in bioavailability-optimised retinoid formulations. Significantly improves dermal delivery of lipophilic actives including hydroxypinacolone retinoate.
- Penetration enhancer — increases dermal delivery of lipophilic actives
- Solubilises retinoids and poorly water-soluble actives
- Low skin irritation profile
- Biodegradable — sorbitol-derived
- Improves homogeneous active distribution in formulation
- Bioavailability-optimised vitamin A creams
- Retinoid serums
- Drug delivery enhanced formulations
- Anti-ageing actives vehicles
- Brightening serum bases
Bio-derived from sorbitol. Miscible with water and most cosmetic solvents. Typically used at 5–20% for meaningful penetration enhancement.
At high concentrations can increase percutaneous absorption beyond desired levels for co-formulated ingredients — must be assessed holistically. Enhanced penetration applies to all co-formulated ingredients, not only the target active.
Generally accepted in clean beauty given sorbitol origin. Valued in efficacy-first formulations.