Glycerin Stearate ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is a nonionic emulsifier, co-emulsifier, emollient, and viscosity builder. It helps oil and water phases stay blended while giving creams and lotions a smoother, richer feel.
What does Glycerin Stearate do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is a nonionic emulsifier, co-emulsifier, emollient, and viscosity builder. It helps oil and water phases stay blended while giving creams and lotions a smoother, richer feel.
Is Glycerin Stearate clean?
It is generally well tolerated and has little clean-standard friction when used in standard cosmetic formulas. The main review point is sourcing, since it can come from different vegetable or animal-derived fatty feedstocks.
Is Glycerin Stearate sustainable?
This material is commonly made from glycerol and fatty acids that may be plant-derived, often from palm, rapeseed, soy, or similar oils. It is readily biodegradable, but palm-linked supply chains benefit from traceability and certification.
Is Glycerin Stearate COSMOS-approved?
It is permitted under COSMOS-natural and COSMOS-organic when made from accepted natural-origin feedstocks and approved processing. It fits Green Chemistry reasonably well because it is an ester made from simple fatty materials, is biodegradable, and does not require persistent chemistry.
How does Glycerin Stearate work chemically?
The molecule is a waxy, nonionic ester of glycerol and a saturated C18 fatty acid, with a low HLB around 3 to 4 unless modified into a self-emulsifying grade. It is typically used around 1 to 5 percent, melts near 55 to 60 °C, and is most stable in mildly acidic to neutral systems rather than strongly acidic or alkaline formulas.
Last updated 2026-05-13