Polyglycerol esters with a particular oligomer distribution of the polyglycerol

1. A polyglycerol ester, wherein

after its complete hydrolysis, releases on average (number-average) per mole of polyglycerol ester, carboxylic acids consisting of from 0.01 mol to 0.20 mol of a first fatty acid having 20 to 24 carbon atoms and from 0.5 mol to 2.0 mol of a second fatty acid or a mixture of fatty acids having 8 to 18 carbon atoms, and wherein after complete hydrolysis of the polyglycerol ester, a polyglycerol comprising glycerol and diglycerol is obtained in which a mass ratio of glycerol to diglycerol is greater than 1.

2. The polyglycerol ester according to claim 1 , wherein the polyglycerol obtained after complete hydrolysis of the polyglycerol ester has an average degree of polymerization of from 3 to 20.

3. The polyglycerol ester according to claim 1 , wherein a molar ratio of the first fatty acid obtained after complete hydrolysis of the polyglycerol ester relative to the second fatty acid is between 1:50 to 1:7.

4. The polyglycerol ester according to claim 3 , wherein the first and second fatty acids are selected from linear, saturated, and unsubstituted fatty acids.

5. The polyglycerol ester according to claim 3 , wherein the first fatty acid is behenic acid and the second fatty acid is a mixture of stearic acid and palmitic acid.

6. A process for producing the polyglycerol ester of claim 1 comprising:

A) providing a polyglycerol in which a mass ratio of glycerol to diglycerol is greater than 1, and

B) esterifying at least some of the polyglycerol with the carboxylic acids,

where a molar ratio of the carboxylic acids used in process step B) to polyglycerol used in process step A) is from 0.51:1 to 2.20:1.

7. The process according to claim 6 , wherein the polyglycerol provided in process step A) has an average degree of polymerization of from 3 to 20.

8. The process according to claim 6 , wherein in process step B), the first fatty acid is behenic acid and the second fatty acid is a mixture of stearic acid and palmitic acid.

9. A cosmetic or pharmaceutical formulation comprising:

a polyglycerol ester of claim 1 , as an emulsifier, and at least one substance selected from the group consisting of an emollient, a coemulsifier, a thickening agent, an antioxidant, a hydrotrope, a solid or filler, a pearlescent additive, a deodorant ingredient, an antiperspirant active ingredient, an insect repellent, a self-tanning agent, a preservative, a conditioner, a perfume, a dye, a pigment, a cosmetic active ingredient, a care additive, a superfattening agent, a solvent, an UV filter, an electrolyte, a multifunctional additive, and a moisturizer.

10. The cosmetic or pharmaceutical formulation according to claim 9 , wherein the polyglycerol ester is present in amounts of from 0.1 to 10% by weight.

11. The cosmetic or pharmaceutical formulation according to claim 10 , wherein said at least one substance is a water-soluble UV light protection filter.

12. The cosmetic or pharmaceutical formulation according to claim 11 , wherein said at least one substance is an insect repellent.