Polyglyceryl-3 triisostearate is a chemical compound, an ester composed of Isostearic Acid, Glycerine.

The name describes the structure of the molecule:

• Polyglyceryl indicates that the molecule contains multiple glycerol groups. Glycerol is a tri-valent alcohol that serves as the backbone for many esters and lipids.
• 3 indicates that there are three glycerol units in the molecule.
• triisostearate indicates that there are three isostearate groups attached to the molecule. Isostearate is an ester of isostearic acid, a saturated fatty acid.

Raw Materials Used in Production:

Polyglyceryl-3 triisostearate is an ester derived from glycerin and isostearic acid. Glycerin can be sourced from natural sources like vegetable oils, while isostearic acid is often derived from the hydrogenation of oleic acid.

Step-by-step Summary of Industrial Production Process.

• Preparation of raw materials. Glycerin and isostearic acid are prepared and purified.
• Esterification. Glycerin is reacted with isostearic acid in the presence of an acid catalyst to form the ester Polyglyceryl-3 triisostearate.
• Neutralization. Any excess acid, if present, is neutralized.
• Purification. The product is purified through methods like filtration and distillation to remove impurities.
• Drying.

Form and Color.

It appears as a pale yellow viscous liquid.

What it is for and where

Cosmetics

Skin conditioning agent - Emollient. Emollients have the characteristic of enhancing the skin barrier through a source of exogenous lipids that adhere to the skin, improving barrier properties by filling gaps in intercorneocyte clusters to improve hydration while protecting against inflammation. In practice, they have the ability to create a barrier that prevents transepidermal water loss.  Emollients are described as degreasing or refreshing additives that improve the lipid content of the upper layers of the skin by preventing degreasing and drying of the skin. The problem with emollients is that many have a strong lipophilic character and are identified as occlusive ingredients; they are oily and fatty materials that remain on the skin surface and reduce transepidermal water loss. In cosmetics, emollients and moisturisers are often considered synonymous with humectants and occlusives.

Surfactant - Emulsifying agent. Emulsions are thermodynamically unstable and are used to soothe or soften the skin and emulsify, so they need a specific, stabilising ingredient. This ingredient forms a film, lowers the surface tension and makes two immiscible liquids miscible. A very important factor affecting the stability of the emulsion is the amount of the emulsifying agent. Emulsifiers have the property of reducing the oil/water or water/oil interfacial tension, improving the stability of the emulsion and also directly influencing the stability, sensory properties and surface tension of sunscreens by modulating the filmometric performance.

CAS   66082-43-7

Commercial Applications

Cosmetics Industry. Polyglyceryl-3 triisostearate is an emulsifier and skin conditioner commonly used in cosmetic products such as creams, lotions, and makeup. It helps blend water-based and oil-based ingredients, providing a smooth texture to the final product.

Skincare Products. Owing to its emollient properties, it can be found in lip balms, cuticle care products, and dry skin care products.

Most significant studies on similar polyglyceryl-3-diisostearate

The solubilisation of polar and polyphenol antioxidant in vegetable oils was studied. It was shown that the use of a polyglyceryl-3-diisostearate (PG3DS), a bio-sourced emulsifier well known in cosmetics, increases the yield of solubilisation thanks to some aggregation properties analysed using x-ray scattering technique. We show indeed that PG3DS forms reverse aggregates with a critical concentration that depends on the oil polarity. PG3DS reverse aggregates are elongated with a polar core and cannot be really swollen by addition of water. This supramolecular organisation allows however an efficient solubilisation of polar antioxidants in vegetable oils (1).

A novel niosome preparation composed of nonionic surfactants, polyglyceryl-3-diisostearate and polysorbate-80, bilayers stabilized by myristyl alcohol instead of cholesterol was developed. Polyglyceryl-3-diisostearate, myristyl alcohol and polysorbate-80 were in 1:2:1 molar ratio in which 85% zidovudine (3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine, azidothymidine, AZT, CAS 30516-87-1) was found to be encapsulated in aqueous core. Pharmacokinetic and tissue distribution studies were conducted on this niosome preparation using rabbits and albino rats, respectively, as animal models. AZT levels in rabbit serum were higher following application of niosomal AZT than with AZT solution. Such levels were maintained for prolonged time. T1/2 increased, clearance became slow and as a result AUC and AUMC increased and consequently MRT increased following niosomal AZT treatment. Tissue distribution studies on albino rats also confirmed higher concentration and slower decline of serum levels of AZT due to niosomal AZT. In addition niosomal AZT escaped uptake by reticuloendothelial tissues (liver, spleen, and kidney). Invitro release of AZT from niosomes was slow, about 20% releasing in 18 h. The prolonged AZT levels in rabbit serum following the treatment with niosomal AZT appear to be due to the combined effect of slow invivo release and avoidance of extravascular distribution. Though this preparation seems to maintain AZT levels in serum for a prolonged time, its therapeutic efficacy cannot be claimed as the present method estimates total AZT in the preparation and not free AZT. Further no specific experiments were conducted to substantiate its therapeutic effect (2).