Pentaerythrityl Adipate/Caprate/Caprylate

Also known as: Mixed PE Ester

INCI: Pentaerythrityl Adipate/Caprate/Caprylate | Function: Emollient, Binder, Viscosity Modifier | Type: Pentaerythrityl Mixed Ester

What Is Pentaerythrityl Adipate/Caprate/Caprylate?

Pentaerythrityl Adipate/Caprate/Caprylate is a mixed ester of pentaerythritol with adipic acid (a dicarboxylic acid), capric acid (C10), and caprylic acid (C8). This combination gives it a light, non-greasy emollient profile with excellent spreadability. It is used as a binder in pressed powders, a light emollient in skincare, and a plasticizer in film-forming products.

Key Skin Benefits

+ Lightweight emollient — non-greasy, fast-absorbing skin feel
+ Binder — helps pressed powders maintain integrity
+ Excellent spreadability — smooth, silky application
+ Plasticizing — adds flexibility to film formers

Pros

+ Very light skin feel — suitable for oily skin formulations
+ Multifunctional across skincare, makeup, and haircare
+ Good compatibility with silicones and other esters
+ Low use levels effective

Cons

− Semi-synthetic — not for 100% natural formulations
− Mixed ester — composition may vary between suppliers
− Limited published standalone safety data

Specifications

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

Safety Ratings

Metric	Rating
Skin Sensitivity	1/5
Comedogenic Rating	0-1/5
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 %
Pressed powder	1 - 5%
Light lotion	0.5 - 3%
Lipstick	2 - 8%

References

CIR (2019) — Safety Assessment of Pentaerythrityl Compounds. cir-safety.org
CosIng (2025) — Pentaerythrityl Adipate/Caprate/Caprylate. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/
SpecialChem — Pentaerythrityl mixed esters. https://cosmetics.specialchem.com/

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