Polyglyceryl-2 Sesquioleate

TL;DR. This ingredient is a nonionic emulsifier and co-emulsifier, especially useful for water-in-oil systems and pigment or oil dispersion. It helps stabilize blends by reducing interfacial tension between water and oil phases.

What does Polyglyceryl-2 Sesquioleate do in a cosmetic formula?

This ingredient is a nonionic emulsifier and co-emulsifier, especially useful for water-in-oil systems and pigment or oil dispersion. It helps stabilize blends by reducing interfacial tension between water and oil phases.

Is Polyglyceryl-2 Sesquioleate clean?

This ingredient is generally well-tolerated and has low clean-standard friction because it is non-ethoxylated and not commonly associated with restricted-list concerns. Sensitivity is possible in any emulsifier system, but it is not a common allergen flag.

Is Polyglyceryl-2 Sesquioleate sustainable?

This material is typically made from glycerin and plant-derived fatty acids, with sourcing tied to crops such as sunflower, rapeseed, or palm depending on supplier. It is expected to be readily biodegradable, though palm-linked supply chains need certification if that feedstock is used.

Is Polyglyceryl-2 Sesquioleate COSMOS-approved?

It is generally permitted under COSMOS-natural and COSMOS-organic when made from approved natural-origin feedstocks and processed by allowed esterification methods. It fits Green Chemistry reasonably well because it is non-ethoxylated, biodegradable, and can be made from renewable inputs.

How does Polyglyceryl-2 Sesquioleate work chemically?

The molecule is a nonionic ester built from a short polyglycerol backbone esterified with unsaturated C18 fatty-acid chains, giving it a low-HLB, lipophilic emulsifier profile. It is commonly used around 1-5% in emulsions or lower as a co-emulsifier, and the ester bond is most stable in mildly acidic to neutral systems while the unsaturated chains benefit from antioxidant support.

Last updated 2026-05-13