Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is a nonionic emulsifier used mainly to build and stabilize oil-in-water creams, lotions, and balms. It helps disperse oils evenly and contributes a smooth, cushioned skin feel.
What does Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is a nonionic emulsifier used mainly to build and stabilize oil-in-water creams, lotions, and balms. It helps disperse oils evenly and contributes a smooth, cushioned skin feel.
Is Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate clean?
From a clean-beauty perspective, it is generally well tolerated and has little restricted-list friction. Sensitivity is uncommon, though any emulsifier can be irritating for a small subset of users at higher levels or in compromised-skin formulas.
Is Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate sustainable?
This material is commonly made from plant-derived fatty acids and glycerin-based building blocks, although feedstock sourcing can vary by supplier. It is expected to be readily biodegradable and does not raise the persistence concerns associated with silicones or fluorinated materials.
Is Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate COSMOS-approved?
It is generally permitted in COSMOS-natural and COSMOS-organic products when made from approved natural-origin feedstocks and compliant processing. Its fit with Green Chemistry is strong when renewable inputs are used, with a favorable biodegradability profile and a straightforward ester chemistry route.
How does Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate work chemically?
The molecule is a nonionic ester built from a short polyglycerol segment and a C18 saturated fatty-acid tail, giving it interfacial activity suited to oil-in-water emulsions. Typical use is about 1 to 5 percent, often paired with fatty alcohols, waxes, or co-emulsifiers, and it is usually stable in mildly acidic to neutral formulas while strong pH extremes can promote ester hydrolysis.
Last updated 2026-05-13