Pentaerythrityl Cocoate

Also known as: PE Cocoate

INCI: Pentaerythrityl Cocoate | Function: Emollient, Surfactant, Emulsifier | Type: Pentaerythrityl Ester

What Is Pentaerythrityl Cocoate?

Pentaerythrityl Cocoate is a mixed ester of pentaerythritol with coconut fatty acids (C8-C18). The coconut-derived fatty acid chains give it a balanced hydrophilic-lipophilic profile, making it useful as a mild surfactant, co-emulsifier, and light emollient. It provides gentle cleansing with conditioning benefits in rinse-off products.

Key Skin Benefits

+ Mild cleansing — gentle surfactant derived from coconut fatty acids
+ Conditioning — leaves skin feeling soft, not stripped
+ Co-emulsifying — supports emulsion formation and stability
+ Light emolliency — non-greasy after-feel

Pros

+ Gentle alternative to harsher surfactants
+ Coconut-derived — renewable feedstock
+ Multifunctional — cleanser + conditioner + emulsifier
+ Good foam booster in combination with other surfactants

Cons

− Limited standalone cleansing power — works best in combination
− Not for very high-foam applications
− May require heating for incorporation

Specifications

Property	Value
Usage Areas	Face, 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 %
Gentle facial cleanser	1 - 5%
Shampoo	1 - 3%
Body wash	2 - 5%

References

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

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