Dimethyl Isosorbide (DMI)

DMI

High-performance cosmetic solvent and delivery enhancer used to improve active ingredient solubility, penetration, and formulation performance.

INCI Name: Dimethyl Isosorbide

Source: Corn-derived

Appearance: Clear, colorless liquid

Solubility: Miscible with water, alcohols, glycols, and many cosmetic solvents

Function: Solvent, delivery enhancer, carrier, active solubilizer, formulation aid

DMI (Dimethyl Isosorbide) is a premium cosmetic solvent derived from corn-based feedstocks. It is widely used in advanced skincare, haircare, and personal care formulations to improve the solubility and delivery of difficult-to-formulate active ingredients.

Its excellent compatibility, low odor, and elegant sensory profile make it especially useful in serums, scalp treatments, active concentrates, exfoliating systems, and professional cosmetic formulations where performance and clarity are important.

Supplied as a cosmetic raw material for formulation use.

What It Does

DMI helps improve the performance of cosmetic formulations by increasing the solubility and delivery of challenging ingredients. It is often selected when formulators need a cleaner, more elegant solvent system for active-heavy skincare, scalp care, and treatment products.

Key Benefits

• Improves solubility of difficult cosmetic actives.
• Helps enhance active ingredient delivery.
• Supports clearer and more uniform formulations.
• Compatible with water-based and hydroalcoholic systems.
• Provides a light, non-greasy sensory profile.
• Useful in high-performance skincare and scalp care systems.

Typical Use Levels

• 1–5% — General solvent support
• 3–10% — Active delivery and solubility enhancement
• 10–20% — Specialized high-performance systems

How to Incorporate

• Add directly to the water phase or solvent phase.
• Can be used to pre-dissolve active ingredients before addition.
• Mix thoroughly until the formulation is uniform.
• Can be used in cold-process or heated systems depending on the formula.

Formulation Notes

• Often used with salicylic acid, retinoid systems, antioxidants, botanical actives, and brightening ingredients.
• Useful when glycols alone do not provide enough solubility.
• Can improve clarity in certain water-based formulations.
• Works well in active concentrates, serums, toners, scalp treatments, and treatment gels.
• Evaluate final formula compatibility and skin feel at intended use level.

Common Applications

• Facial serums
• Active concentrates
• Scalp treatments
• Exfoliating toners
• Brightening formulations
• Professional skincare products
• Haircare and treatment systems

Useful when an active refuses to dissolve and starts behaving like a tiny formulation tyrant. DMI is one of the better ways to restore order.

Documents

• Certificate of Analysis (COA)
• Safety Data Sheet (SDS)

Storage

• Store in a cool, dry location.
• Keep container tightly sealed when not in use.
• Protect from excessive heat and contamination.

Disclaimer

This material is supplied for cosmetic formulation use only. Users are responsible for evaluating suitability, stability, compatibility, and regulatory compliance within finished formulations.