Polyglycer-yl-3 Diisostearate ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is a nonionic emulsifier, mainly used to build water-in-oil emulsions and help disperse pigments, minerals, and oils evenly. It also adds cushion and slip in creams, balms, sunscreens, and color cosmetics.
What does Polyglycer-yl-3 Diisostearate do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is a nonionic emulsifier, mainly used to build water-in-oil emulsions and help disperse pigments, minerals, and oils evenly. It also adds cushion and slip in creams, balms, sunscreens, and color cosmetics.
Is Polyglycer-yl-3 Diisostearate clean?
It is generally well tolerated and has low irritation potential, especially compared with many ionic surfactants. It is not a typical clean-standard restricted-list ingredient, though brands may check feedstock origin and residual catalyst controls.
Is Polyglycer-yl-3 Diisostearate sustainable?
This material is commonly made from glycerin-derived components and branched C18 fatty acids that may be plant-derived, often from vegetable oil supply chains. It is expected to be biodegradable as a fatty ester, with lower persistence concerns than silicone-based emulsifiers.
Is Polyglycer-yl-3 Diisostearate COSMOS-approved?
It is generally permitted under COSMOS natural and organic when made from accepted natural-origin feedstocks and compliant esterification processing. Its fit with Green Chemistry is favorable because it can use renewable inputs, solvent-light manufacturing, and ester bonds that support biodegradation.
How does Polyglycer-yl-3 Diisostearate work chemically?
The molecule is a nonionic diester with a small glycerin-derived hydrophilic head and two bulky branched C18 lipophilic tails, giving it a low HLB profile suited to water-in-oil systems. It is typically used around 1 to 5% as an emulsifier or pigment dispersant, and it is broadly stable across normal cosmetic pH ranges because it is not pH-dependent like anionic emulsifiers.
Last updated 2026-05-16