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Glyceryl Linolenate

What Glyceryl Linolenate is & what it does

Glyceryl Linolenate is the monoester of glycerin and linolenic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid. In skincare and sunscreen formulas it works as an emollient and skin-conditioning agent, helping soften the skin surface and contribute to a smooth feel. As a fatty-acid ester it is also lipophilic, so it tends to blend well into the oil phase of a product.

What does Glyceryl Linolenate do in skincare?

Glyceryl Linolenate is an ester of glycerin and the omega-3 fatty acid linolenic acid, used as an emollient and skin-conditioning agent. It helps soften the skin surface and blends into the oil phase of a formula for a smooth feel.

Is Glyceryl Linolenate comedogenic?

Fatty-acid esters can vary in how they sit on the skin, and clogging potential depends on the full formula and an individual's skin. If you are prone to breakouts, it is reasonable to patch test a product first. We cannot give a definitive comedogenic rating for this ingredient.

Is Glyceryl Linolenate natural or synthetic?

It can be made from naturally sourced glycerin and plant fatty acids, but the ester itself is produced through processing, so it is typically considered nature-derived rather than something found ready-made in nature.

Sunscreens with Glyceryl Linolenate

We rate 11 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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