Polyhydroxystearic Acid. May Contain/Peut Contenir : CI 77491 ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is primarily a dispersing agent, helping mineral pigments and mineral UV filters stay evenly suspended in oils and anhydrous systems. It improves spread, reduces clumping, and supports more uniform color or sunscreen coverage.
What does Polyhydroxystearic Acid. May Contain/Peut Contenir : CI 77491 do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is primarily a dispersing agent, helping mineral pigments and mineral UV filters stay evenly suspended in oils and anhydrous systems. It improves spread, reduces clumping, and supports more uniform color or sunscreen coverage.
Is Polyhydroxystearic Acid. May Contain/Peut Contenir : CI 77491 clean?
From a clean-beauty perspective, it is generally well-tolerated, low in sensitization concern, and not a common restricted-list trigger. The main quality question is residual monomer or processing impurities, which reputable suppliers control through specifications.
Is Polyhydroxystearic Acid. May Contain/Peut Contenir : CI 77491 sustainable?
This material is commonly derived from castor-oil fatty acids, so it can come from renewable agricultural feedstock rather than petroleum. As a fatty polyester, it is expected to be more biodegradable than silicone or fluorinated film formers, although biodegradation data can vary by molecular weight and grade.
Is Polyhydroxystearic Acid. May Contain/Peut Contenir : CI 77491 COSMOS-approved?
It is permitted under COSMOS for natural and organic formulations when the grade is made from allowed fatty-acid feedstocks and meets supplier documentation requirements. Its Green Chemistry profile is strongest when suppliers document plant origin, low residuals, and biodegradability.
How does Polyhydroxystearic Acid. May Contain/Peut Contenir : CI 77491 work chemically?
The molecule is an oligomeric or polymeric fatty acid polyester made by condensation of hydroxylated C18 fatty acids, giving a lipophilic chain with multiple ester and hydroxyl groups plus an acid end group. It is typically used at low single-digit levels as a pigment dispersant, is oil-soluble rather than water-soluble, and is stable across the pH range of anhydrous or emulsion oil phases, with oxidation risk mainly tied to feedstock quality.
Last updated 2026-05-14