Esters are the product of the reaction of any acid (usually organic) and alcohol. Common fatty acids are caprylic, capric, lauric, myristic, palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic and behenic acids, and dicarboxilic acids such as adipic acid. Common alcohols are isopropyl, n-butyl, ethylhexyl, myristyl or oleyl alcohol, as well as polyvalent alcohols such as ethylene glycol, polyglycerol, propylene glycol and glycerol. A wide range of combinations can be used to produce the large range of synthetic esters available to the cosmetic industry.

Source: Cosmetic Formulation Principles and Practice - Heather A.E. Benson, Michael S. Roberts, Vânia Rodrigues Leite-Silva, Kenneth A. Walters