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Glyceryl Stearate

What Glyceryl Stearate is & what it does

A workhorse emulsifier and emollient that binds oil and water into a stable cream while softening skin. It gives formulas a smooth, conditioned body.

What does Glyceryl Stearate do?

Glyceryl stearate is an emulsifier and emollient: it binds the oil and water phases into a stable cream and leaves skin feeling soft and smooth. It is a big contributor to a lotion's texture.

Is Glyceryl Stearate safe?

Yes. It is a well-tolerated, widely used ingredient considered safe and non-irritating in cosmetics.

Does Glyceryl Stearate clog pores?

It is generally low on the comedogenic scale and used in many lotions without issue, though very acne-prone skin may prefer lighter textures. It is not a strong pore-clogger.

Is Glyceryl Stearate natural?

It is usually nature-derived: it is made by combining glycerin and stearic acid, both of which commonly come from plant oils. It is processed into the emulsifier rather than found ready-made in nature.

Is Glyceryl Stearate safe to use during pregnancy?

Glyceryl stearate has no known pregnancy concern. It is a mild, widely used emulsifier that works on the surface to keep a cream smooth and stable.

Sunscreens with Glyceryl Stearate

We rate 2454 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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