PRESERVATIVES
Why pentylene glycol is a must-have ingredient
Annika Greupner, Katharina Braun, Wynona Stender - Cosphatec
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The cosmetics industry is evolving rapidly. In a market shaped by regulatory change, consumer awareness, and ecological responsibility, formulators must find ingredients that fulfil a wide range of expectations - technical, ethical, and sensorial. Pentylene glycol, a well-established
multifunctional ingredient, addresses precisely these multifaceted requirements. As both a humectant and antimicrobial component, it plays a key role in the development of safe, stable, and effective cosmetic products while also contributing to the product’s sensory profile. Cosphatec offers two high-purity grades
of pentylene glycol: Cosphaderm® Pentiol natural, a 100% natural version obtained through the upcycling of agricultural waste, and Cosphaderm Pentiol GL, a synthetic alternative with identical functionality as a practical alternative where certification is not required. While both offer the same technical
performance, natural pentylene glycol sets a new standard for sustainable formulation, responding to the growing demand for responsible innovation.
Addressing evolving market needs Formulators today operate in an increasingly complex landscape. Not only do they face regulatory and technical constraints, but they must also anticipate and respond to shifting
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consumer expectations. Consumers are looking for products that are safe, effective, and pleasant to use, but they also demand transparency, simplicity, and ethical sourcing. Terms like ‘clean’, ‘natural’ and ‘vegan’ are no longer niche claims, they are mainstream requirements. At the same time, formulators need
ingredients that support stable, robust formulations without complicating the formulation process. Multifunctional substances like pentylene glycol reduce the need for multiple additives by combining several functions in one molecule. They help simplify INCI lists while enhancing
product safety and performance. Because pentylene glycol is compatible with a broad pH range and various formulation types, it
is especially valued in minimalist and hybrid systems combining cosmetic elegance with dermocosmetic efficacy.
The role of upcycled raw materials in cosmetics As sustainability becomes a defining pillar of modern cosmetics, upcycled raw materials are emerging as a key driver of innovation. These ingredients are derived from by-products or waste streams of other industries, most often agriculture, food, or forestry, and are transformed through environmentally responsible processes into high- value cosmetic actives or functional ingredients. Upcycling reduces the need for virgin raw
materials and helps close the loop in production cycles, thereby contributing to circular economy principles. Instead of discarding or incinerating
TABLE 1: COSPHADERM PENTIOL NATURAL VERSUS COSPHADERM PENTIOL GL Cosphaderm Pentiol natural
INCI Source Recommend concentration Functions
pH range Solubility
Physical appearance Odour
Sugar cane/ corn
Pentylene Glycol 1-3%
Antimicrobial Humectant
Skin conditioning Solvent
pH-independent Water-soluble
Colourless viscous liquid Odourless to faint
September 2025 PERSONAL CARE Cosphaderm Pentiol GL Synthetic
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