Pentavitin Is the Plant-Powered Ingredient Taking Over Skincare
It locks in moisture, strengthens the skin barrier and provides long-lasting hydration for up to 72 hours.
When it comes to skincare, one truth reigns supreme: hydration is essential. However, with the overwhelming number of moisturizers, serums and treatments available on the market, finding the right hydrator can feel like an impossible task. Certainly, there’s the classic hyaluronic acid and the reliable ceramide — but a new contender is rising in the beauty industry.
Enter pentavitin — a plant-derived carbohydrate complex that’s earning its place as a skin savior, delivering long-lasting hydration and barrier protection with just one application. So, what exactly is pentavitin and why are skincare experts excited about it? We spoke to four industry experts to learn more about the power of this innovative ingredient and how it’s transforming the typical beauty routine.
What Is Pentavitin?
At its core, pentavitin (officially known as saccharide isomerate) is a moisture-binding powerhouse derived from plant sugars. However, it’s more than just your average humectant. Unlike typical hydrators like glycerin or hyaluronic acid, pentavitin is bioidentical to the skin’s natural moisturizing factors (NMFs). This means it bonds directly to the outermost layers of the skin — helping to lock in moisture deeply and effectively. Pentavitin keeps your skin hydrated for up to 72 hours (even after washing your face), preventing transepidermal water loss.
“As a 100% plant-derived ingredient, it mimics what your skin naturally produces,” explains Meagan Pate, co-founder of Three Warriors. “Pentavitin binds to your skin and doesn’t just sit on the surface, meaning it won’t wash away easily. That’s what makes it so effective for long-term hydration and barrier protection.”
“Pentavitin is particularly beneficial for supporting the skin barrier,” affirms Eric Nietzel, RN and aesthetic nurse. The ingredient protects against environmental factors by retaining moisture — defending against dryness, irritation and external damage.
What Types of Skincare Products Typically Contain Pentavitin?
“You can typically find it in serums, moisturizers, face masks and after-sun products. It does an excellent job at delivering moisture to the skin, so it’s commonly present in hydrating formulations,” state Catarina Oliveira and Rui Liu, co-founders of Herbar.
“I would advise against using it on areas of broken skin like cuts, scrapes or open acne wounds,” says Nietzel. Even though it is safe for all skin types, some individuals may experience discomfort when first using it. “Patch testing new products is a prudent way to introduce new elements into your routine without causing problems.”
How Does Pentavitin Work with Other Skincare Ingredients?
“Pentavitin works well with other skincare MVPs like hyaluronic acid (HA) and retinol,” says Pate. Pentavitin helps HA stay on the skin longer, preventing it from quickly evaporating. If retinol dries or irritates your skin, pentavitin can help balance that. Other ingredients like glycerin, ceramides and niacinamide make a fantastic combination for a powerful boost of hydration.
How Does Pentavitin Compare to Other Humectants?
“Unlike hyaluronic acid, which primarily hydrates the skin’s surface, pentavitin binds deeply to skin cells, offering longer-lasting hydration that won’t wash off easily,” said Oliveira and Liu. It also surpasses glycerin and panthenol in water-binding capabilities — while glycerin and panthenol attract moisture to the skin, they don’t necessarily hold onto it as effectively, meaning hydration can fade throughout the day. “Pentavitin, in contrast, creates a moisture reservoir within the skin by forming a strong bond with keratin, ensuring water stays locked in.”
Can Pentavitin Be Used With Other Active Ingredients?
Yes, pentavitin can be used alongside other active ingredients. Pentavitin is non-irritating and enhances the skin’s tolerance to active ingredients like retinol, vitamin C and exfoliating acids by preventing dryness and barrier disruption. “For instance, our customers love applying it after their retinol to prevent any skin sensitivity and improve skin barrier function,” share Oliveira and Liu. Nietzel recommends applying your actives before pentavitin so that they can interact effectively with the skin. “This may even help reduce some negative side effects people experience from using actives.”
To use pentavitin, Oliveira and Liu suggest applying it in the morning and nighttime onto slightly damp skin, layering it with other hydrators like hyaluronic acid and ceramides.
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