Cosmetics · Quasi-drug actives
Isopropyl Methylphenol (IPMP)
イソプロピルメチルフェノール (Isopuropiru mechiru fenōru)
Also known as: IPMP, o-Cymen-5-ol
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| Category | Cosmetics |
|---|---|
| INCI name | o-Cymen-5-ol↗ |
| Japanese labeling name | イソプロピルメチルフェノール |
| Common Japanese notations | イソプロピルメチルフェノール, IPMP |
| CAS number | 3228-02-2↗ |
| Origin | Synthetic (substituted phenol) |
| Typical functions | Quasi-drug antibacterial active |
| Regulatory status in Japan | Approved as a quasi-drug (医薬部外品) antibacterial active by 厚生労働省 (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare). |
Isopropyl methylphenol (IPMP), also known by its INCI name o-Cymen-5-ol, is a substituted phenol used as a quasi-drug antibacterial active in Japan. It appears widely in medicated acne products, oral care, and deodorants.
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Classification
Tags below link to other ingredients sharing the same attribute, so you can pivot from one ingredient to its peers.
Product applications
Functions
Regulatory tags
Origin
Common OEM product categories
Finished-product categories where Japanese OEM manufacturers commonly formulate with this ingredient.
- Medicated acne products (薬用ニキビケア)
- Quasi-drug oral care (toothpaste, mouthwash)
- Quasi-drug deodorant products
Ingredient profile
IPMP is the substituted phenol 4-isopropyl-3-methylphenol. It functions through antibacterial activity against the relevant flora targeted by the quasi-drug claim category — for example, acne-related bacterial flora.
OEM applications
In Japanese cosmetics, IPMP appears in medicated acne products, deodorants, oral care (mouthwash and toothpaste), and various sensitive-skin formulations.
Regulatory classification in Japan
Approved as a quasi-drug antibacterial active by 厚生労働省 (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare) within defined concentration ranges.
Regulatory classification in other markets
| EU | o-Cymen-5-ol is listed in CosIng. Permitted as a preservative within concentration limits set in the Cosmetics Regulation. |
|---|---|
| USA | INCI recognized. |
| China | Permitted per IECIC listings. |
| Korea | Permitted under KFDA / MFDS. |
Market reference formulations
Example finished products will be added after each product's current full ingredient list has been verified.
All brand names and product names referenced anywhere on this site are the property of their respective owners. Example entries are provided for informational purposes only and do not imply endorsement.
Typical OEM use levels
Formulation ranges per finished-product application. Verify against the cited source before production.
| Application | Typical range | Regulatory limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quasi-drug antibacterial / acne-care products (Japan) | 0.05–0.1% | 0.1% upper bound typical per 厚生労働省 quasi-drug notifications | Marketed as IPMP; widely used in 薬用 acne lotions and oral-care(厚生労働省 医薬部外品有効成分通知) |
Stability & compatibility
- pH range
- pH 4–8
- Temperature
- Stable at standard cosmetic processing temperatures
- Incompatibilities
- Strong oxidizers
- Cationic surfactants (potential precipitation)
Phenolic antibacterial; not affected by typical preservatives. Pre-dissolve in oil phase or ethanol.
Alternative ingredients
Related ingredients commonly evaluated as substitutes.
Quick answers
- What is Isopropyl Methylphenol (IPMP)?
- Isopropyl methylphenol (IPMP), also known by its INCI name o-Cymen-5-ol, is a substituted phenol used as a quasi-drug antibacterial active in Japan. It appears widely in medicated acne products, oral care, and deodorants.
- What is the regulatory status of Isopropyl Methylphenol (IPMP) in Japan?
- Approved as a quasi-drug (医薬部外品) antibacterial active by 厚生労働省 (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare).
- What products typically use Isopropyl Methylphenol (IPMP)?
- Medicated acne products (薬用ニキビケア) / Quasi-drug oral care (toothpaste, mouthwash) / Quasi-drug deodorant products
- Where does Isopropyl Methylphenol (IPMP) come from?
- Synthetic (substituted phenol)
- What is the INCI / JSCI labeling name for Isopropyl Methylphenol (IPMP)?
- INCI: o-Cymen-5-ol / JSCI: イソプロピルメチルフェノール
Explore related ingredients
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Sharing similar functions
Ingredients that overlap on functional benefit tags.
From the same origin
Other ingredients that share an origin classification.
Regulatory guidance
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FAQ for OEM buyers
Q. What is the regulatory status of IPMP (o-Cymen-5-ol) in Japan and the EU?
In Japan, IPMP is approved as a quasi-drug bactericidal active for medicated acne, deodorant, and oral-care products. In the EU it is regulated as a cosmetic preservative under Annex V (entry 53), with a maximum 0.1%.
Sources · Last reviewed: 2026-04-26
- 厚生労働省 (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare) — quasi-drug bactericidal actives (IPMP)
- EU Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009 Annex V — entry 53 (o-Cymen-5-ol)
Q. Can IPMP be used both as a preservative and as an active ingredient?
Yes — under EU rules it is restricted to 0.1% as a preservative (Annex V); under Japanese quasi-drug rules it is dosed as an active (typically 0.05–0.3%) within 厚生労働省 (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare)-approved formulations. Document its declared role on the formulation card.
Sources · Last reviewed: 2026-04-26
- EU Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009 Annex V — entry 53
Q. What is the typical use level and positioning?
Acne and deodorant quasi-drugs typically use 0.05–0.3% IPMP for bactericidal positioning. Stable across cosmetic pH ranges; oil-soluble, so often added to the oil phase.
Sources · Last reviewed: 2026-04-26
- Industry knowledge — IPMP formulation practice
Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source
Q. Are there odor or sensorial concerns?
IPMP has a faint phenolic / cresol-like odor that is noticeable above 0.1%, requiring fragrance compensation in deodorants and oral-care products. Use micronized or pre-dispersed grades to reduce loading effort.
Sources · Last reviewed: 2026-04-26
- Industry knowledge — IPMP sensory considerations
Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source
Use cases
Medicated acne lotion / cream
- Positioning
- Bactericidal acne quasi-drug
- Typical usage level
- 0.1–0.3% (Japan quasi-drug)
- Formulation notes
- Add via oil phase or solubilized water phase; combine with dipotassium glycyrrhizate.
Sources
- Industry knowledge — Japanese medicated acne segment
Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source
Medicated deodorant / antiperspirant
- Positioning
- Bactericidal underarm care quasi-drug
- Formulation notes
- Used in roll-on, stick, and spray formats at 0.05–0.3%; quasi-drug filing required.
Sources
- Industry knowledge — Japanese medicated deodorant segment
Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source
Medicated mouthwash / toothpaste
- Positioning
- Anti-bad-breath / gum-care quasi-drug
- Formulation notes
- Used at 0.03–0.1% in oral-care; combine with dipotassium glycyrrhizate.
Sources
- Industry knowledge — Japanese medicated oral-care segment
Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source
Scalp tonic / shampoo (medicated)
- Positioning
- Anti-dandruff / scalp-odor quasi-drug
- Formulation notes
- Used at 0.05–0.2% in alcoholic tonic and shampoo bases.
Sources
- Industry knowledge — Japanese medicated scalp-care segment
Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source
EU general cosmetic with preservative role
- Positioning
- Multi-functional preservative-active in EU/global cosmetic
- Typical usage level
- ≤0.1% (EU Annex V)
- Formulation notes
- Declared as preservative on the EU label; verify compatibility with rest of preservation system.
Sources
- EU Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009 Annex V — entry 53
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Official regulatory databases
External links to public Japanese / international regulatory authorities. We are not affiliated.
References
- Japan 医薬品医療機器総合機構 PMDA (Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency) — quasi-drug active ingredient approval registry
- EU CosIng entry: o-Cymen-5-ol
Last updated: 2026-04-22. Ingredient entries are reviewed at least annually against current regulatory listings.