Glyceryl Behenate/Eicosadioate

TL;DR. It is a waxy structurant and oil-phase thickener that helps build stick hardness, stabilize anhydrous systems, and give a smooth, cushiony payoff. It can also support film formation and water resistance in color cosmetics, balms, and sunscreens.

What does Glyceryl Behenate/Eicosadioate do in a cosmetic formula?

It is a waxy structurant and oil-phase thickener that helps build stick hardness, stabilize anhydrous systems, and give a smooth, cushiony payoff. It can also support film formation and water resistance in color cosmetics, balms, and sunscreens.

Is Glyceryl Behenate/Eicosadioate clean?

From a DARE perspective, this ingredient is generally low-irritation and not a common allergen, with little clean-standard friction when supplied as a cosmetic-grade, low-residue material. Scrutiny is mainly around sourcing and processing documentation rather than routine skin tolerance.

Is Glyceryl Behenate/Eicosadioate sustainable?

It is usually based on long-chain fatty raw materials and a small polyol backbone, often offered from vegetable-origin feedstocks, though exact origin depends on the supplier. Its ester-rich, waxy structure is expected to be ultimately biodegradable, but breakdown is slower than small water-soluble ingredients.

Is Glyceryl Behenate/Eicosadioate COSMOS-approved?

It can be permitted in COSMOS-natural and COSMOS-organic formulas when the feedstocks and esterification route meet natural-origin requirements, so supplier documentation matters. Green Chemistry alignment is reasonably strong when renewable fatty feedstocks are used, with efficient ester chemistry and no special persistence flag.

How does Glyceryl Behenate/Eicosadioate work chemically?

The molecule is an esterified lipid built from a triol core and long C20 to C22 fatty-acid residues, including a diacid segment that increases structure and film strength. It is oil-dispersible, water-insoluble, and typically used at low single-digit levels for texture, with higher levels possible in sticks, balms, and anhydrous color products.

Last updated 2026-05-13