What is Myristyl Propionate?
Chemically, Myristyl Propionate is a synthetic emollient ester. A myristyl ester named on comedogenic lists in the moderate range.
You may see it on labels as Myristyl Propionate, Myreth-3 Myristate, Myreth 3 Myristate, so it can hide under more than one name in an ingredient list.
Where Myristyl Propionate shows up
Myristyl Propionate is commonly formulated into lotions, sunscreens, primers, and colour cosmetics, where it adds a smooth, non-greasy slip. Separately from clogging, its irritancy is rated 0/5 — low, so it's unlikely to sting or sensitise on its own.
Is Myristyl Propionate bad for acne-prone skin?
Myristyl Propionate sits in the grey zone. Plenty of people tolerate it well; those who break out easily may prefer to keep it low on their ingredient lists.
Worth flagging: Myristyl Propionate's rating is disputed. Credible sources land on different numbers, which is why we show a range rather than a single score — and why your own experience is the best tiebreaker.
Note for fungal-acne (malassezia) sufferers: Myristyl Propionate is commonly avoided in fungal-acne routines, since it falls into the fatty-acid or ester families the yeast can feed on. The evidence there is looser than for comedogenicity — see our fungal-acne checker for context.
Non-comedogenic alternatives
If you're avoiding Myristyl Propionate, these lower-risk ingredients serve a similar role and are gentler on pore-prone skin:
- Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride — rated 1/5 (Low risk).
- Squalane — rated 1/5 (Low risk).