Cosmetic Ingredient

PENTAVITIN® 72-Hour Hydration Active (Saccharide Isomerate)

Plant-derived moisturising active the gold-standard route to proven 72-hour hydration on face, body and scalp.

dsm
Supplier
DSM-Firmenich
72h
Proven hydration
≤5%
Recommended use level
48
ISO Natural index
100
ISO NOI
Water soluble COSMOS approved Vegan Cruelty free Non-GMO China compliant

What is PENTAVITIN®?

PENTAVITIN® (INCI: Saccharide Isomerate) is a plant-derived moisturising active that binds to the skin like a natural moisture magnet. Its carbohydrate composition closely mirrors the carbohydrate complex found in human skin, giving it an exceptional affinity for the skin surface and generating a hydration reservoir clinically shown to last for 72 hours even after rinsing.

Effective at low concentrations in both leave-on and rinse-off formulations, PENTAVITIN® delivers instant, long-lasting hydration for face and body care while soothing and strengthening the scalp making it a versatile hero active across skincare and haircare.

Key benefits

Instant 72-hour hydration

Binds to skin to build a moisture reservoir that delivers deep, continuous hydration for up to 72 hours even after washing.

Strengthens skin & scalp

Stimulates key barrier genes to reinforce and protect the skin and scalp barrier over time.

Soothes a dry, itchy scalp

Calms and moisturises a dry, flaky scalp and helps control the microorganisms behind flakiness.

How PENTAVITIN® works

01

Binds to skin like a moisture magnet

Saccharide Isomerate anchors to the skin's carbohydrate complex and resists removal by water, so hydration persists through cleansing and rinsing.

02

Builds a 72-hour moisture reservoir

Once bound, it forms a reservoir that continuously releases moisture into the skin for up to 72 hours from a single application.

03

Reinforces the skin barrier

It stimulates the expression of key genes involved in barrier function, helping skin retain moisture and defend against dryness.

Scalp care benefits

In-vivo scalp-care data shows PENTAVITIN® supports a healthy scalp and beautiful hair through effective soothing in rinse-off application:

  • Controls Malassezia furfur, a common cause of a flaky scalp

  • Moisturises a dry scalp by boosting filaggrin

  • Protects the scalp barrier by boosting loricrin

  • Promotes a strong scalp barrier by boosting SMPD1

  • Binds to keratin for lasting conditioning of the hair fibre

Applications & formulation guidance

PENTAVITIN® is easy to formulate with and performs across a wide range of leave-on and rinse-off product types. As the first rinse-off active proven for deep hydration, it opens long-lasting moisturisation claims in categories where humectants are typically washed away.

Facial moisturisers Body lotions Serums & essences Sun & after-sun Cleansers Shampoos Conditioners Scalp treatments
≤5%
Recommended use level. PENTAVITIN® is water soluble add it to the water phase of your leave-on or rinse-off formulation.

Clinical & in-vivo evidence

PENTAVITIN®'s performance is supported by multiple in-vivo studies. Corneometry measurements demonstrate significantly increased skin hydration sustained for 72 hours after a single application, and gene-expression analysis confirms upregulation of filaggrin, loricrin and SMPD1 in scalp skin.

Efficacy has been shown at low use levels, making PENTAVITIN® a cost-effective route to substantiated long-lasting hydration and scalp-care claims.

Source: efficacy data from DSM-Firmenich technical documentation. Full study details are available in the Product Dossier and Technical Data Sheet.

What is PENTAVITIN® and what is its INCI name?

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PENTAVITIN® is a plant-derived moisturising active supplied by DSM-Firmenich. Its INCI name is Saccharide Isomerate, Aqua, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate. It binds to the skin to provide proven 72-hour hydration in leave-on and rinse-off products.

How long does PENTAVITIN® hydration last?

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Hydration lasts for up to 72 hours from a single application. Because Saccharide Isomerate binds to the skin and resists being washed off, the moisturising effect continues even after rinsing or cleansing.

What is the recommended use level for PENTAVITIN®?

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Use PENTAVITIN® at up to 5%. It is water soluble and should be added to the water phase of the formulation. Proven effects are achieved even at low concentrations.

Can PENTAVITIN® be used in rinse-off products?

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Yes. PENTAVITIN® is the first rinse-off active proven for deep hydration, so it works in cleansers, shampoos and conditioners as well as in leave-on creams, lotions and serums.

Is PENTAVITIN® suitable for scalp care?

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Yes. Scalp-care data shows PENTAVITIN® controls Malassezia furfur (a common cause of flakiness), moisturises the scalp by boosting filaggrin, protects the barrier by boosting loricrin and SMPD1, and binds to keratin supporting a healthy scalp and beautiful hair.

Is PENTAVITIN® natural, vegan and COSMOS approved?

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PENTAVITIN® is COSMOS approved, vegan, cruelty free, non-GMO and China compliant. It has an ISO Natural index of 48 and an ISO NOI of 100.

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Last reviewed: 4 August 2026 Supplier: DSM-Firmenich

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