Is Glyceryl Stearate green?
This is one of those annoying ingredients that pops up in all skincare products, traditional and organic.
Its name doesn’t sound natural, yet it’s on none of the “Avoid-at-all-costs” lists. No one talks about it. Ever.
Time for a change. Here’s everything you need to know about this ingredient in skincare:
What Is Glyceryl Stearate?
Glyceryl Stearate (a.k.a. Glyceryl Monostearate) is a white or cream-coloured solid made from glycerin and stearic acid (a fatty acid obtained from animal and vegetable fats and oils).
It can be made in a lab or produced from most vegetable oils through a process similar to soap making. It’s biodegradable, too.
P.S. Glyceryl Stearate naturally occurs in our body, too.
Where does the “green” question come in? While it can be derived from plant-based sources, there are instances where animal-based fats are used. Ethical and sustainable skincare brands usually ensure their this ingredient is plant-derived, but if this is a concern for you, double-check with the brand.
What Does Glyceryl Stearate Do In Skincare Products?
Glyceryl Stearate is a popular ingredient in skincare products for two reasons: it moisturises skin and improves the texture and feel of formulas. Here’s everything it does:
- Emollient: It acts as a lubricant, making skin softer and smoother.
- Emulsifier: It helps water and oils mix together, preventing them from separating in the formula. The best part? It removes the greasiness from oils, so they’re a pleasure to use.
- Moisturising: It creates a protective barrier on the skin that slows down water loss, keeping skin hydrated and supple for hours.
- Pearlescent: If used together with Glycerin, it pearlises shower gels, shampoos, and hand washes.
- Thickening Agent: It gives creams and lotions a richer texture, ensuring they glide smoothly on your skin without feeling too heavy.
Does Glyceryl Stearate Has Any Side Effects?
Glyceryl Stearate is as safe as a skincare ingredient can be. I mean, this stuff is already in our bodies and we eat a few mouthfuls every day through our diet.
Sure, high concentrations may irritate sensitive skin, but that’s rare.
It has been extensively tested and approved by organizations like the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel, which deems it safe for use in cosmetics.
For eco-conscious consumers, it is also biodegradable, meaning it won’t harm the environment after it washes down your drain.
Does Glyceryl Stearate Clog Pores?
Nope! Glyceryl Stearate is considered non-comedogenic, which means it doesn’t clog pores. This makes it a great option for acne-prone skin types who still want the benefits of hydration and skin-softening without worrying about breakouts.
Does It Work For All Skin Types?
Yes, Glyceryl Stearate is versatile enough for most skin types:
- Dry Skin: Its emollient properties make it a savior for locking in hydration.
- Sensitive Skin: Its gentle, soothing nature helps calm irritation.
- Oily Skin: Its ability to reduce greasiness makes it perfect for lightweight formulations.
- Mature Skin: Keeps skin plump and hydrated, reducing the appearance of fine lines.
The Bottom Line
Glyceryl Stearate is a biodegradable, safe ingredient that makes your skin softer and smoother and improves the feel of your products. No need to fear it. Whether you’re eco-conscious, acne-prone, or just looking for a better skincare experience, this underrated ingredient has your back. So, next time you see it on the label, you’ll know exactly what it brings to the table.
This ingredient is so common that I did not bother to look it up. My instinct told me it’s a moisturizer and I’m glad it’s correct.
.-= Dao´s last blog ..Beauty Literotica: The DERMAdoctor Skinstruction Manual by Dr. Audrey Kunin =-.
Dao, sometimes the most common ingredients are the most overlooked too, but it’s still useful to know what they’re doing. I’m glad you were right about it too 🙂
Glyceryl stearate is really just an emulsifer. It doesn’t really do much of any of the other things you are suggesting here. It is also very very unlikely to cause much in the way of allergic reactions at the levels it is normally used at.
Colin, thanks for your comment. The Cosmetics Cop and Cosmeticsinfo.org state that Glyceryl Stearate is also an emollient, skin lubricant and thickener so that’s why I included those functions in the post. I guess it’s used mainly as an emulsifier and just sometimes for other reasons, then.
I agree with you that there really isn’t much chance of it causing a negative reaction but I thought I would point that out for people whose skin is very sensitive and gets irritated easily.
That happened to me. I used a product containing glyceral stearate 3 times on my hands. I developed redness and itching. It took 4 days of a 1% steroid cream to alleviate the problem.
Johanna, that’s awful! I’m sorry you had a negative reaction to it.
That happened to me. I ended up narrowing it down to Glyceral Stearate SE that was causing an allergic reaction on my face. The one product from the same company had it and the other product did not have it. Once I washed my face with the product that did not contain the Glyceral Stearate SE, the redness and itchiness went away. I’m just glad I was able to figure it out!!🎉🎉🎉
Beautifulwithbrains, than you for covering all the basis. I am one of those with sensitive skin and a ‘natural’ deodorant product I’m using works good, but it irritates my skin. It could be any of the ingredients but Glyceryl Sterate was the first one I investigated.
Beti, you’re welcome. I’m sorry the deodorant you’re using is irritating your skin. I hope you can figure out what the culprit is.
I just want to ask, Can this be used to make Candles? Thanks, Erika
Erika, frankly I don’t know what the best ingredients for making candles are because I never made them myself. I don’t think I have ever seen this one in any candles though.
I used to make all natural candles full time as my own business, and this is not a product I would use mainly because I don’t see a reason to use this compound, but also because I don’t know enough about how stable it is to heating and cooling, how safe it is to work with in different stages of liquid and solid, nor if it is safe to breath in as your candle burns (which is a big concern for me for the customers safety). Plus it is my understanding that there are no regulations on what is put into glyceryl stearate, so there isn’t a way to know what is in one batch vs. the next batch or the 5th batch, etc.
There are amazing all natural waxes that will work wonderfully for your candle making love. Beeswax, GMO/pesticide free Soy Wax, Palm Wax, and Coconut Wax are the four main candle waxes that I use. For a desired look, creative idea, or desired low to high melting points, I use the natural waxes in percentage combination for what I want to do. Enjoy your natural candle making!!!
Terrie, thanks for your comment. I don’t think it’s a dangerous compound, but if the other alternatives work well for you, why change?
I am glad to find this. It is in a deodorant I am trying. It also has Alcloxa. I am trying to find information on that. Do you have any?
Marci, glad you find this post helpful. Alcloxa is used to induce a tightening or tingling sensation of the skin, but can cause irritation in some people, especially those with sensitive skin.
Do you know of a safe deodorant? I have tried the natural ones with baking soda, but they make me break out.
Marci, have you tried Deodomom? You can read my review here: http://beautifulwithbrains.com/2013/03/27/product-review-30-some-weeks-deodomom-cream-deodorant/
A skin cream I was using to mosturize my skin recently added glyceryl stearate to the ingredients list. I didn’t even know that they had added it until I went to purchase a refill since I was getting low. Well once I switched to the new jar that had glycerol stearate in it, my skin started breaking out. Itching, hives, and puffy redness. Luckily I was able to find some existing stock of the older product that didn’t have the glycerol stearate in it and I bought all of it. When i went back to using the product without the glycerol stearate all the symtoms went away. Then one day after cleaning and organizing my house, I accidentally dipped in to the jar of the newer product that I had set aside, the stuff that has the glycerol stearate in it, and sure enough, within an hour hives, redness, and puffyness everywhere that I applied the cream. Needless to say I threw that jar away the very same day haha. From now on though I’m definitely checking ingredients lists for this stuff. My skin can’t tolerate it.
Tad, thank you for sharing your experience with us. I’m sorry your skin reacts so badly to it.
Hi! I know this is an old post. But I came across it doing some research on this ingredient. I have two products that caused red, itchy, bumps. One, on my face 🙁 and the other on my arm. I looked and both have this ingredient in common. The first product was the Cetaphil lotion for Eczema and the second is Silicone Glove from Avon. In addition to the Glyceryl Stearate, they both also contained: Cetyl Alcohol and Disodium EDTA. I don’t know if it’s just the Glyceryl Stearate or a combination of all of them….as of today I’m stopping both. But just thought I’d share.
Silvia, thank you for sharing our experience. I’m sorry both products caused such a bad reaction. But , I agree. Until you know for sure what the culprit is, it’s best to avoid both.
Hello. Thanks for the info. Have been using Francoise Bedon Royal Lightening Lotion for two years. All these years I ve been having red patches on my skin, sometimes I find the redness on my waist where the waist band of my trouser sits. Sometimes on my neck and so in. But it disappears after minutes or hours. Also, my skin is itchy. It comes and goes. My skin can be itchy for straight one week, then I won’t feel it again for like a month, then it returns again. Even as am typing this, my skin is itching. So today I decided to look up the ingredients on the lotion am using, and found it contained glyceryl stearate. Thanks for the info
Faithlarge, I’m sorry to hear about your problem, must be very annoying. I hope this post has helped you find the culprit.
Hi, As far as you know, is there anything indicating that Glyceryl Stearate is of any health concern for those who don’t have skin irritation?
I have recently learned about many ingredients in my skin care that are not very good for my body. In recent years, despite being in my 30’s, I’ve developed random health conditions, mostly GI and endocrine related – none of them are so serious that I can’t live a pretty normal life, but my friends say I live in a bit of a bubble….nothing is ‘terrible” is wrong but at the same time, nothing is quite normal either. Although my skin is not sensitive at all – in fact my friends often compliment my complexion. A friend suggested I look in to my skin care. I noticed Glyceryl Stearate is the only ingredient that I can’t find a definitive answer on (though I did realize quite a few of my favorites had some pretty nasty things in them). Have you seen anything to suggest Glyceryl Stearate is harmful in any way to any organ system?
SP, I’m sorry to hear about your condition. It must be very frustrating. But, at least, this is an ingredient you don’t need to worry about. As far as I know, it’s harmless to those who aren’t allergic to it.
I want to use Eucerin on my toes as they are dry and there is a thicken on the edge of my big toes. Two ingredients – Glyceryl Stearate and PEG-40 Stearate – are listed and I am wondering if these are classified as steriods? I have an early stage of prostate cancer I want to avoid any steriod as that can potentially exacerbate the problem.
I really enjoy reading your comments to the different questions and comments. You have a very calm way of addressing everyone, and I commend you! Thank you for Being!
Kim, thanks for your kind words. You make me blush. 🙂
Hiya…please are they any effects of using a HAIR product with glyceryl monosterate?
Meddy, glyceryl monosterate is an emulsifier: it helps water mix with oils. Unless you’re allergic to it, it won’t cause any side effects.
Stopping by to say that i suspect Glycerl Stearate broke me out (comedones) on my face. Product in question was Avene’s new Very High Protection Fluid SPF50. There was also Tocopherol and one or two other known comedogenic ingredients but those usually do not cause me problems. Intrigued.
Milky, sorry it didn’t work for you!