Ingredient glossary
Dimethyl Isosorbide
On your shelf ✓What Dimethyl Isosorbide does for your skin, who it suits, and what to watch for.
INCI: Dimethyl Isosorbide · Also: DMI
In short: Dimethyl Isosorbide delivers solvent and solubilization, plays a broad, supporting role, and the evidence behind it is moderate.
- What it does
- Solvent, solubilization
- Best for
- A broad, supporting role
- Evidence
- Moderate
The molecule
The Glow take
The carrier, not the treatment.
Dimethyl Isosorbide is the base that carries the real ingredients, not something that treats skin on its own. Judge the formula by what sits further up the list.
— Maya
What it does
- solvent
- solubilization
- penetration enhancer
moderate evidenceWidely used as a solvent and epidermal penetration enhancer, with low acute toxicity at cosmetic levels. Because it increases delivery of the active beside it, a formula containing it can sting where the same percentage otherwise would not.
Who it's for, and who should skip it
Tends to suit
No specific skin type. It is a broadly used ingredient.
Approach with care
- very sensitive
- Clogs poresLow
- Irritation riskLow
How it fits each skin type
- DryNeutral
- CombinationNeutral
- OilyNeutral
- SensitiveTake care
Where it fits in your routine
Plays well with
- retinoids
- vitamin c
- ferulic acid
Dimethyl Isosorbide, answered
Is Dimethyl Isosorbide safe during pregnancy?
Yes. Dimethyl Isosorbide is considered safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. As with anything, if you are unsure it is worth a quick word with your doctor or midwife.
Who should avoid Dimethyl Isosorbide?
Approach Dimethyl Isosorbide with care if any of these apply to you: very sensitive.
What concentration of Dimethyl Isosorbide actually works?
Its concentration is rarely printed on the label, so use the ingredient list as your clue: near the top third it is likely doing real work, near the bottom it is more of a sprinkle.
This, for every label you own
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