Polyglyceryl-4 ●
TL;DR. This ingredient primarily acts as a humectant and water-soluble conditioning agent, helping formulas hold moisture and improve skin feel. It can also support solubilization and texture in water-based emulsions or gels.
What does Polyglyceryl-4 do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient primarily acts as a humectant and water-soluble conditioning agent, helping formulas hold moisture and improve skin feel. It can also support solubilization and texture in water-based emulsions or gels.
Is Polyglyceryl-4 clean?
It is generally well tolerated, non-sensitizing, and not a common restricted-list concern in clean-beauty standards. Quality depends mainly on good manufacturing control of residual catalyst, salts, and unreacted starting material.
Is Polyglyceryl-4 sustainable?
This material is commonly made by condensing glycerin, which may come from plant oils, biodiesel side streams, or other glycerin supply chains. It is water soluble and expected to have a favorable biodegradation profile, with palm-related sourcing transparency relevant when vegetable feedstocks are used.
Is Polyglyceryl-4 COSMOS-approved?
It can be permitted under COSMOS-natural and COSMOS-organic when the glycerin feedstock and processing route meet the standard’s criteria. Its Green Chemistry fit is strongest when made from renewable glycerin, with efficient catalysis and low residual processing aids.
How does Polyglyceryl-4 work chemically?
The molecule is a small glycerin oligomer with multiple hydroxyl groups, which gives it strong hydrogen-bonding capacity and water-binding behavior. It is typically used around 0.5% to 5%, is broadly pH-stable in cosmetic systems, and is compatible with water-based formulas and many nonionic emulsifier systems.
Last updated 2026-05-13