AQUAGLYCERYL STEARATE ●
TL;DR. This ingredient primarily acts as a nonionic emulsifier and consistency builder, helping oil and water phases stay blended while adding a soft, creamy skin feel.
What does AQUAGLYCERYL STEARATE do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient primarily acts as a nonionic emulsifier and consistency builder, helping oil and water phases stay blended while adding a soft, creamy skin feel.
Is AQUAGLYCERYL STEARATE clean?
It is generally well-tolerated and low in irritation potential, with little clean-standard friction when made from acceptable fatty acid and glycerin sources. The main quality question is sourcing and residual processing impurities, not a major sensitization profile.
Is AQUAGLYCERYL STEARATE sustainable?
This material is typically made from glycerin and stearic acid, which can come from plant, animal, or synthetic sources. It is expected to be readily biodegradable, though plant-derived supply chains may involve palm or palm-kernel inputs unless otherwise documented.
Is AQUAGLYCERYL STEARATE COSMOS-approved?
It is generally compatible with COSMOS-natural and COSMOS-organic formulation principles when produced from permitted raw materials and compliant processing. From a Green Chemistry view, it aligns well when made from renewable fatty acids and glycerin, with good biodegradability and no persistent silicone or petrochemical polymer profile.
How does AQUAGLYCERYL STEARATE work chemically?
The molecule is a fatty acid ester built from a glycerol backbone and a long saturated C18 fatty chain, giving it both oil-compatible and water-interacting character. It is typically used in low single-digit percentages as an emulsifier or co-emulsifier, and it is most useful in heated oil phases where it can melt, disperse, and crystallize into a stable lamellar structure on cooling.
Last updated 2026-05-15