Ethyl oleate is a fatty acid ester used as a solvent for pharmaceutical drug preparations involving lipophilic substances such as steroids. In vivo studies have demonstrated that Ethyl oleate and other fatty acid esters are also rapidly hydrolyzed to ethanol and free fatty acid. Ethyl oleate is one of the fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEE) that is formed in the body after ingestion of ethanol. There is a growing body of research literature that implicates FAEEs such as ethyl oleate as the toxic mediators of ethanol in the body (pancreas, liver, heart, and brain). Among the speculations is that ethyl oleate may be the toxic mediator of alcohol in fetal alcohol syndrome. The oral ingestion of ethyl oleate has been carefully studied and due to rapid degradation in the digestive tract, it appears safe for oral ingestion. Ethyl oleate is not currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for any injectable use. However, it is used by compounding pharmacies as a vehicle for intramuscular drug delivery, in some cases to prepare the daily doses of progesterone in support of pregnancy. Studies which document the safe use of ethyl oleate in pregnancy for both the mother and the fetus have never been performed.

Ethyl linoleate (ELA) is an essential fatty acid used in many cosmetics for its anti-inflammatory properties. It inhibits the action of the reactive species of oxygen released by neutrophils due to an excess of bacteria, and prevents the hyperkeratinization induced by a lack of linoleic acid. Though there are few reports stating the antiinflammatory activity of ELA, the mechanism by which ELA exhibits anti-inflammatory activity remains unclear. An aqueous emulsion of ethyl linoleate can be used as parenteral injection for curring ailments where a high plasma-cholesterol level of the blood is indicated. Improvements in liver function tests during the administration of ELA were noticed in almost all cases with a few aggravated exceptions. The administration of ELA can expect the satisfactory response to the patients both with liver cirrhosis and with chronic hepatitis.

Panthenyl ethyl ether is used in cosmetic as an antistatic and hair conditioning. However, it was found that in patients with psoriasis panthenyl ethyl ether could cause allergic contact dermatitis.

Methyl ethyl ketone (butanone) is an industrial solvent produced on a large scale. It is used in surface coatings, adhesives, printing inks, chemical intermediates, magnetic tapes, and lube oil dewaxing agents. Methyl ethyl ketone has a fruity odor similar to acetone. It is used as a flavor/fragrance agent in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.

Triethyl citrate is a triester of ethyl alcohol and citric acid. It is a colorless, odorless liquid used as a food additive (E number E1505) to stabilize foams, especially as whipping aid for egg white. Triethyl citrate is a plasticizer, that plays an important role as a dispersing aid in the processing of polylactic acid/chitin nanocrystal (PLA/ChNC) nanocomposites.