Glycerol triisostearate or Triisostearin is a chemical compound, monoglyceric triester obtained by the esterification of glycerine and carboxylic acids (an equivalent of a carboxylic acid and an equivalent of glycerine), in this ingredient the isostearic acid.

Breakdown of the name and function of the components:

• "Tri" indicates there are three identical groups in the compound.
• "Isostearin" refers to isostearate, which is an ester of isostearic acid.

Isostearic acid is a saturated fatty acid often used in cosmetics and in the lubricant industry.

Description of the raw materials used in production:

The production of triisostearin primarily requires:

• Isostearic Acid: Which can be obtained from the hydrogenation of oleic acid, a monounsaturated fatty acid.
• Glycerol: A trivalent compound that acts as a backbone to bind the three isostearic acid esters in triisostearin.

Summary of its industrial synthesis process step by step:

• Hydrogenation: Oleic acid is subjected to hydrogenation to produce isostearic acid.
• Esterification Reaction: Isostearic acid reacts with glycerol in the presence of an acid catalyst (e.g., sulfuric acid) to form triisostearin.
• Purification: The final product is purified through various methods like distillation, crystallization, or filtration to obtain the desired quality of triisostearin.

It appears as a colourless to yellowish liquid.

What it is used for and where

Cosmetics

Skin conditioning agent - Occlusive. This ingredient has the task of modifying the condition of the skin when it is damaged or dry by reducing flaking and restoring elasticity. It has a strong lipophilic character and is identified as an occlusive ingredient; it is generally composed of oily and fatty materials that remain on the skin surface and reduce trans epidermal water loss.

Viscosity Enhancing Agent - non acqueous. Since viscosity is important for increasing the chemical and physical stability of the product, Viscosity Enhancing Agent non acqueous is an important dosage factor in gels, suspensions, emulsions, solutions. Increasing viscosity makes formulations less sedimentary and more homogeneously thickened.

Skin conditioning agent. It is the mainstay of topical skin treatment as it has the function of restoring, increasing or improving skin tolerance to external factors, including melanocyte tolerance. The most important function of the conditioning agent is to prevent skin dehydration, but the subject is rather complex and involves emollients and humectants that can be added in the formulation.

Safety. 

The purity level of commercial monoglyceric triester is about 90 per cent, and impurities include fatty acids, monoglyceric diesters, mono-, di- and tri-glycerides.

Triisostearin, safety

• Molecular Formula  C₅₇H₁₁₀O₆
• Molecular Weight  891.5 g/mol
• CAS  26942-95-0
• UNII    71503RH8KG
• EC Number 248-122-5

Synonyms: 

1,2,3-Propanetriyl triisooctadecanoate

Isooctadecanoic acid, 1,1',1''-(1,2,3-propanetriyl) ester

Glycerin triisostearate

Glycerol triisostearate

Trade name:

DERMOFEEL GTI

AYACOL GTISS

CRODAMOL GTIS

TEGOSOFT TIS

SUN ESPOL G-31

DUB TGIS

DERMOL 2