PENTAERYTHRITYL TETRACAPRYLATE/TETRACAPRATE
PENTAERYTHRITYL TETRACAPRYLATE/TETRACAPRATE is an oily ingredient made by linking pentaerythritol with a blend of caprylic and capric acids. The result is a tetraester, meaning that the molecule has four ester links and fits into the oil phase of a cosmetic. On an ingredient list, this long name identifies an ester family; it is not a pure oil or a whole botanical extract.
PENTAERYTHRITYL TETRACAPRYLATE/TETRACAPRATE: what it is
PENTAERYTHRITYL TETRACAPRYLATE/TETRACAPRATE is an oily ingredient made by linking pentaerythritol with a blend of caprylic and capric acids. The result is a tetraester, meaning that the molecule has four ester links and fits into the oil phase of a cosmetic. On an ingredient list, this long name identifies an ester family; it is not a pure oil or a whole botanical extract.
The slash in tetracaprylate/tetracaprate signals that the blend contains chains derived from both fatty acids. That sets it apart from an ester made with only one fatty acid, although an ingredient list does not reveal the proportion of those chains or the feedstock used to make them. This is why it can feel oil-like without being the same thing as coconut oil, free capric acid, or pentaerythritol on its own.
PENTAERYTHRITYL TETRACAPRYLATE/TETRACAPRATE: what it does in cosmetics
As an emollient, PENTAERYTHRITYL TETRACAPRYLATE/TETRACAPRATE helps the skin surface feel smoother and less rough. Its oily portion can help a product spread and leave a flexible film rather than an immediately dry, tight feel after application. The plausible cosmetic benefit is mainly sensory: softness, slip, and a more comfortable finish.
A Cosmetic Ingredient Review assessment considered this ingredient among 16 pentaerythrityl tetraesters and examined cosmetic-use and safety data; it did not establish treatment for acne, wrinkles, dark spots, or skin disease. It is therefore best understood as support for the feel and finish of a formula, not as a therapeutic active. Individual tolerance can still differ, which is relevant to the specific caution on this page.
PENTAERYTHRITYL TETRACAPRYLATE/TETRACAPRATE: conditions and care
A published clinical case reported allergic contact dermatitis attributed to this ingredient. If itching, redness, or a rash appears after use, stop using the product and seek advice from a health professional.
Products containing this ingredient
See which products include it and the name used in each composition.
