Stearyl/Octyldodecyl Citrate Crosspolymer ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is an oil-phase film-former and texture modifier. It helps improve pigment dispersion, gloss, wear, and water resistance in makeup, sunscreen, lip, and skin-care formulas.
What does Stearyl/Octyldodecyl Citrate Crosspolymer do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is an oil-phase film-former and texture modifier. It helps improve pigment dispersion, gloss, wear, and water resistance in makeup, sunscreen, lip, and skin-care formulas.
Is Stearyl/Octyldodecyl Citrate Crosspolymer clean?
From a clean-beauty perspective, it is generally low-friction because it is not a common sensitizer, preservative, UV filter, silicone, or formaldehyde-releasing system. The main review point is supplier documentation, since polymeric film-formers can be treated differently across retailer standards.
Is Stearyl/Octyldodecyl Citrate Crosspolymer sustainable?
This material is commonly positioned as a naturally derived alternative to persistent synthetic film-formers, with feedstocks typically coming from fatty alcohols and a plant-fermentation-derived acid backbone. Its ester-based structure supports better biodegradability than many silicone or fluorinated film-formers, though actual scoring depends on the supplier’s data.
Is Stearyl/Octyldodecyl Citrate Crosspolymer COSMOS-approved?
It can be permitted in COSMOS-natural formulations when made through allowed chemistry from compliant inputs, and it may be used in COSMOS-organic products as an approved non-organic functional ingredient. It fits Green Chemistry best when the fatty feedstocks are responsibly sourced and the process uses efficient esterification with controlled residuals.
How does Stearyl/Octyldodecyl Citrate Crosspolymer work chemically?
The molecule is a crosslinked, oil-soluble polyester-like network built from a multifunctional acid core and long-chain fatty alcohol units, which gives it film-forming behavior without high volatility. It is typically used in the low single digits for feel and pigment support, with higher levels possible when stronger film formation or water resistance is needed.
Last updated 2026-08-16