Pentaerythrityl Stearate/Isostearate/Adipate

INCI: Pentaerythrityl Stearate/Isostearate/Adipate | Function: Emollient, Skin Conditioning | Type: Synthetic Ester Blend

What Is Pentaerythrityl Stearate/Isostearate/Adipate?

Pentaerythrityl Stearate/Isostearate/Adipate is a designed ester blend that pairs linear stearic acid (C18) with its branched isomer isostearic acid and adipic acid on the pentaerythritol core. The linear stearate provides structure, the branched isostearate reduces greasiness and lowers the melting point, and adipate adds flexibility. This creates an emollient with a uniquely smooth, velvety feel that is popular in premium skincare and color cosmetics.

Key Skin Benefits

+ Velvety skin feel — linear + branched combination creates unique texture
+ Reduced greasiness — isostearate branch lowers oily feel
+ Good spreadability — adipate improves glide
+ Structured emolliency — designed molecular architecture

Pros

+ Velvety, elegant sensory profile
+ Isostearate component reduces heavy/waxy feel
+ Good for premium moisturizers and foundations
+ Stable at room temperature

Cons

− Fully synthetic with petrochemical components
− More expensive than simpler esters
− No active skincare benefits (purely sensory)
− Limited research data available

Specifications

Property	Value
Usage Areas	Face, Body, Hair
Product Type	Leave-On, Rinse-Off
Source	Synthetic
Natural Level	Synthetic

Safety Ratings

Metric	Rating
Skin Sensitivity	1/5
Comedogenic Rating	1/5
EWG Score	1/10

Regional Regulatory Limits

Region	Leave-on %	Rinse-off %	Status
EU (CosIng)	No limit	No limit	Allowed
US (CIR/FDA)	No limit	No limit	Allowed
Japan (MHLW)	No limit	No limit	Allowed
ASEAN	No limit	No limit	Allowed
China (NMPA)	No limit	No limit	Allowed

Typical Usage % by Product Type

Product Type	Typical %
Luxury face cream	1 - 5%
Liquid foundation	2 - 8%
Lipstick / lip gloss	5 - 20%

References

CosIng (2025) — Pentaerythrityl Stearate/Isostearate/Adipate. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/
SpecialChem — Cosmetic esters. https://cosmetics.specialchem.com/
Personal Care Products Council — INCI Dictionary

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