Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate is a tetra-ester of pentaerythritol and isostearic acid (branched C18). It is a thick, rich emollient that provides viscosity and body to formulations while maintaining a smooth, non-tacky finish. Common in lip products and rich creams.
Key Skin Benefits
+ Rich, luxurious skin feel without tackiness
+ Builds viscosity in anhydrous formulations
+ Excellent for lip products — smooth, glossy finish
+ Good water resistance for long-wear products
Pros
+ Rich feel but non-greasy
+ High viscosity building — reduces need for thickeners
+ Good lip product performance
Cons
− Fully synthetic
− Can be heavy for oily skin types
− Large molecule — sits on skin surface
Specifications
Property
Value
Usage Areas
Face, Body
Product Type
N/A
Source
Synthetic
Natural Level
Synthetic
Safety Ratings
Metric
Rating
Skin Sensitivity
1/5
Comedogenic Rating
1-2/5
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 %
Lipstick / Lip gloss
5 - 30%
Rich cream
3 - 10%
Sunscreen stick
3 - 10%
References
CIR — Safety Assessment of pentaerythrityl esters. PMID: 25850168
EU CosIng Database — Listed as skin conditioning/emollient.