Pentaerythrityl Rosinate is an ester of pentaerythritol with rosin acids (primarily abietic acid) obtained from pine tree resin. It is a hard, thermoplastic resin used as a film former in mascara, eyeliner, and long-wear makeup. It provides water resistance, adhesion, and flexible hold, making it ideal for products that need to stay put throughout the day.
Key Skin Benefits
+ Strong film formation — creates water-resistant layer on skin/lashes
+ Adhesion — helps pigments and formulas stick to skin
+ Flexible hold — resists cracking or flaking
+ Long-wear performance — key ingredient in waterproof makeup
Pros
+ Excellent film former for waterproof and long-wear products
+ Plant-derived from renewable pine resin
+ Thermoplastic — softens with body heat for comfortable wear
+ Industry standard in mascara and eyeliner formulations
Cons
− Tacky/sticky — requires balanced formulation with other ingredients
− Potential sensitizer — rosin/colophony is a known allergen (EU fragrance allergen)
− Not biodegradable in water — environmental persistence concern
− Eye area caution — rosins can irritate contact lens wearers
Specifications
Property
Value
Usage Areas
Face, Eye
Product Type
Leave-On
Source
Plant-derived
Natural Level
Natural-derived
Safety Ratings
Metric
Rating
Skin Sensitivity
2-3/5
Comedogenic Rating
1/5
EWG Score
3/10
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 %
Mascara
2 - 10%
Eyeliner
2 - 8%
Long-wear lipstick
1 - 5%
References
CIR (2019) — Safety Assessment of Pentaerythrityl Compounds. cir-safety.org