Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate/Benzoate

INCI: Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate/Benzoate | Function: Emollient, Film Former, Gloss Enhancer | Type: Synthetic Ester Blend

What Is Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate/Benzoate?

Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate/Benzoate is a mixed ester combining the light, wet-feel branched ester (tetraethylhexanoate) with aromatic benzoate groups. This creates an emollient that balances the elegant sensory profile of the ethylhexanoate with the gloss, adhesion, and film-forming benefits of benzoate. It is used in premium lipsticks, lip glosses, and high-end moisturizers where a sophisticated combination of light feel and glossy finish is desired.

Key Skin Benefits

+ Elegant hybrid feel — light wet feel + glossy finish
+ Enhanced adhesion — benzoate improves product staying power
+ High gloss — aromatic component boosts shine
+ Good spreadability — branched chain ensures smooth application

Pros

+ Best of both worlds: light feel + high gloss
+ Premium sensory for luxury lip and face products
+ Good UV filter compatibility for sun care
+ Stable ester blend with good shelf life

Cons

− Complex multi-component synthetic ester
− Higher cost than single-component esters
− Benzoate may cause sensitivity in rare cases
− Limited publicly available data

Specifications

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

Safety Ratings

Metric	Rating
Skin Sensitivity	2/5
Comedogenic Rating	1/5
EWG Score	2/10

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 %
Premium lipstick	5 - 20%
Lip gloss	5 - 25%
Luxury face cream	1 - 5%

References

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

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