The invention includes a diester exhibiting improved hydrolytic stability that is an esterification product of a 1-methylheptyl alcohol and a dicarboxylic acid. In some embodiments, the diester is bis(1-methyl heptyl) butanedioate, bis(1-methyl heptyl) nonanedioate and/or bis(1-methyl heptyl) decanedioate. The diester may be natural and/or not sourced from palm. Also contemplated within the scope of the invention are diesters exhibiting improved hydrolytic stability represented by Formula (I):wherein R1 is chosen from a linear alkyl group containing four to ten carbon atoms. Also included are personal care compositions comprising any of these diesters and methods of preparing a personal care composition using the inventive diesters, and/or methods of altering the tactile impression and/or skinfeel provided to a user by a personal care composition by combining any of the diesters of the invention and at least one personal care component to form a personal care composition； and topically applying the personal care composition to the hair, skin, and/or nails of a user.
