Pe
Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
Pentaerythrityl TetraisostearateBarrier
A rich, cushiony ingredient that copies the feel of silicone without silicones. Whether it clogs pores hasn’t been tested.
What it does
It’s lab-made and common in moisturizers and lipsticks sold as silicone-free. Some similar ingredients clogged pores in rabbit-ear tests, but this one wasn’t tested.
The EU’s ingredient database lists it as an emollient (gives skin a soft, smooth look) and an emulsifier (helps oil and water mix).European Commission, CosIng (© European Union, CC BY 4.0) · uses put in plain words by Drop ↗
The evidence, graded
emergingIn rabbit-ear tests, isopropyl myristate, isopropyl palmitate, cocoa butter and other esters clogged pores, while petrolatum and paraffin did not; a 1989 test graded “coconut butter” 4 of 5. The rabbit test is more sensitive than human skin, and whether high scorers clog human pores is uncertain. In a small human test, finished products with them did not necessarily clog pores. The 1989 test graded mineral oil 0 to 2, squalane and dimethicone 1, glycerin 0; hyaluronic acid is untested.Nguyen 2007 · Cutaneous and Ocular Toxicology ↗
Graded per the methodology: strong · moderate · emerging · expert consensus. A weak source on a strong claim gets the weaker label.
Also known as
PTI
Pairs worth knowing
Browse all 1238 ingredients — grouped by what they do, each with whatever evidence we can cite.
This page is public so a shared ingredient card always has its sources behind it — and so you can check them without an account.
Want more like this?
Every evidence-based flag cites its source, Drop tells you when your routine is complete, and it helps you simplify — instead of selling you more. The app launches on iOS and Android in October 2026. Rate my routine works today at /rate — no sign-in.