Polyglyceryl-Ricinoleate ●
TL;DR. This ingredient functions mainly as a nonionic emulsifier, especially for water-in-oil systems and anhydrous color cosmetics. It helps disperse pigments, stabilize oil-rich formulas, and improve slip.
What does Polyglyceryl-Ricinoleate do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient functions mainly as a nonionic emulsifier, especially for water-in-oil systems and anhydrous color cosmetics. It helps disperse pigments, stabilize oil-rich formulas, and improve slip.
Is Polyglyceryl-Ricinoleate clean?
From a clean-beauty perspective, it is generally well tolerated and does not sit on major restricted lists. Sensitivity is uncommon, though any surfactant-like material can bother very reactive skin at higher use levels.
Is Polyglyceryl-Ricinoleate sustainable?
This material is typically made from vegetable-derived glycerol and a fatty acid associated with castor bean oil. It is not a silicone or petrochemical polymer, and its ester structure supports biodegradability under normal environmental conditions.
Is Polyglyceryl-Ricinoleate COSMOS-approved?
It is generally permitted under COSMOS natural and organic frameworks when made from approved renewable feedstocks and allowed esterification processes. Its profile fits Green Chemistry reasonably well because it uses plant-based inputs, avoids ethoxylation, and is expected to break down more readily than persistent synthetic film-formers.
How does Polyglyceryl-Ricinoleate work chemically?
The molecule is a nonionic ester built from multiple glycerol units linked to an unsaturated hydroxylated C18 fatty acid, which gives it strong oil affinity and pigment-wetting behavior. It is most often used at low single-digit percentages, is stable across typical cosmetic pH ranges when emulsions are properly built, and can be paired with co-emulsifiers or waxes to strengthen water-in-oil structure.
Last updated 2026-05-15