Glycerl Stearate ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is a nonionic emulsifier and emollient used to help oil and water phases stay blended while adding body and a smoother skin feel. It also supports cream structure and can improve the cushion of lotions, creams, and cleansing balms.
What does Glycerl Stearate do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is a nonionic emulsifier and emollient used to help oil and water phases stay blended while adding body and a smoother skin feel. It also supports cream structure and can improve the cushion of lotions, creams, and cleansing balms.
Is Glycerl Stearate clean?
From a clean-beauty perspective, it is generally well tolerated, low in sensitization concerns, and not a common restricted-list issue. The main review point is raw-material origin and whether the grade is paired with other emulsifiers or processing aids that change the finished blend’s profile.
Is Glycerl Stearate sustainable?
This material is commonly made from plant-derived fatty acids, although palm sourcing can be part of the supply chain unless specified otherwise. It is readily biodegradable and does not raise the persistence concerns associated with many synthetic film-formers or silicones.
Is Glycerl Stearate COSMOS-approved?
It is permitted in COSMOS-natural and COSMOS-organic formulations when made from accepted feedstocks and processes. Its fit with Green Chemistry is strong when sourced from renewable oils, produced through straightforward esterification, and used as a biodegradable formulation building block.
How does Glycerl Stearate work chemically?
The molecule is a low-HLB, nonionic ester built from a glycerol backbone and a saturated C18 fatty chain, which makes it more oil-compatible than water-soluble. Typical use is about 0.5% to 5%, often heated into the oil phase around its melting range near 55 to 65°C, and it is generally stable in standard cosmetic pH ranges but can hydrolyze under strongly acidic or alkaline conditions.
Last updated 2026-08-16