O-cymene-5-ol (IPMP) is a member of the isopropylcresol family. It is colorless or white needle-like crystal, soluble in acetone, methanol, ethanol and isopropanol, soluble in ethylene glycol and propylene glycol, but insoluble in water. IPMP is a natural extract from the labiaceae plant. It can also be synthesized artificially. IPMP, as an antimicrobial agent, is widely used in the fields of cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. It is mainly used as preservative in cream and cream cosmetics in China.

IPMP is mainly used as an antimicrobial agent in cosmetics such as toothpaste, moisturizing lotion, mascara, foundation and mask, as a preservative and antioxidant, with the use concentration of 0.1% ~0.5%. IPMP is a highly safe compound: studies have shown that 10% IPMP has extremely low skin irritation, and many studies have evaluated other aspects of IPMP, showing that IPMIP is safe to use within the current allowable concentration range.

IPMP is safe, non-toxic and non-stimulating, so it has a broad application prospect. At present, IPMP as a disinfectant research, this experimental study confirmed that IPMP can effectively kill bacterial propagules.

Excerpted from the study of the insecticidal effect of o-cymene 5-alcohols on Staphylococcus aureus. Chinese Journal of Disinfectology, 36 (2) 2019