GLYCERYL STEARATE

Name / description

Glyceryl Stearate (Stearic Acid, Glycerol Ester)

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Function(s) of this ingredient in cosmetic products

SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT

Softens and smoothens the skin

SURFACTANT - EMULSIFYING

Allows the formation of finely dispersed mixtures of oil and water (emulsions)

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Origin

animal/synthetic/plant plant/synthetic

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Occurrence in cosmetics

Lotions, creams, powders, cosmetic cleansing agents eg cleansing milk, makeup, foundation, mascara, eye shadow, eyeliners, lipsticks, hair conditioners, self-tanning products and sunscreens

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Background information on use in cosmetics

Glycerin monostearate is a (non-ionic) emulsifier frequently used in cosmetic products. Emulsifiers are often used in cosmetics as excipients. They allow components which are not mixable with one another such as oil and water to be brought into a permanent stable emulsion. They can be used in cosmetic products both as aqueous and also as oily care and active ingredients in one and the same product. Emulsifiers are able to achieve this since their molecules are made up of a lipophilic and a hydrophilic part. In this way they can reduce the interfacial tension which actually exists between two incompatible substances such as fat and water. Emulsifiers are used, more particularly, for creams, lotions and cleansing agents. In the meantime emulsifiers have, however, become much more than only excipients which keep an emulsion stable. Fatty acid esters based on sugar, lecithin or glycerol monodistearate contribute for instance towards improving the moisture balance of the skin and are hence also considered as cosmetic active ingredients. Emulsifiers are often used in cosmetics as excipients. They allow actually unmixable components like oil and water to be brought in a permanently stable emulsion. In this way both aqueous and oily care and active ingredients can be used in one and the same product in cosmetics. Emulsifiers are able to do that since their molecules consist of a lipophilic and a hydrophilic part. In this way they can reduce the interfacial tension which actually exists between two incompatible substances like fat and water. Emulsifiers are, more particularly, used for creams, lotions and cleansing agents. At present emulsifiers are, however, more than only excipients which keep an emulsion stable. Fatty acid esters on the basis of sugar, lecithin or glycerin monodistearate contribute, for instance, to improving the moisture balance of the skin and are, therefore, also considered as cosmetic active ingredients.

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Belongs to the following substance groups

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Regulating cosmetics

Cosmetics Ingredients are subject to regulation. Please note, different regulations may apply to cosmetic ingredients outside the EU.