Database/Emollient/Pentaerythrityl Tetracaprylate/Tetracaprate
Mostly natural · ISO 16128

Is Pentaerythrityl Tetracaprylate/Tetracaprate natural?

Mostly. Coconut-derived caprylic/capric fatty acyl groups are natural; the pentaerythritol core is built entirely from petrochemical formaldehyde and acetaldehyde.

INCI namePentaerythrityl Tetracaprylate/Tetracaprate
CAS68441-68-9
FunctionEmollient
FeedstockCoconut-derived caprylic and capric acids are esterified onto…

How we scored it

Pentaerythritol core 132Da (built from formaldehyde/acetaldehyde, petrochemical) + assumed 2 octanoyl + 2 decanoyl acyl groups 564Da (coconut, natural) → 564/696=0.81.
What counts. ISO 16128-2 scores the atoms that remain in the final ingredient. Reagents, solvents, catalysts and protecting groups used during manufacture leave no mass behind and are not counted.

Where it comes from

Coconut-derived caprylic and capric acids are esterified onto pentaerythritol, a synthetic polyol made from petrochemical formaldehyde and acetaldehyde. An even 2:2 caprylic:capric substitution was assumed.

In plain English

A light, silky emollient made by combining coconut-derived fatty acids with pentaerythritol, a synthetic alcohol. Used in skincare to give a smooth, non-greasy after-feel.

CosIng definition: Decanoic acid, mixed esters with octanoic acid and pentaerythritol

Natural alternatives with the same function

References

  1. 1ISO 16128-1:2016 and ISO 16128-2:2017 — Guidelines on technical definitions and criteria for natural and organic cosmetic ingredients and products. ISO, Geneva.
  2. 2PENTAERYTHRITYL TETRACAPRYLATE/TETRACAPRATE. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
  3. 3PENTAERYTHRITYL TETRACAPRYLATE/TETRACAPRATE. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=PENTAERYTHRITYL%20TETRACAPRYLATE/TETRACAPRATE