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Polyglyceryl-5 Polyricinoleate

What Polyglyceryl-5 Polyricinoleate is & what it does

Polyglyceryl-5 Polyricinoleate is a nonionic emulsifier made from polyglycerin and polyricinoleic acid, the latter derived from castor oil. In cosmetic and sunscreen formulas it is used mainly as a water-in-oil emulsifier and dispersing agent, helping to keep water droplets and pigments evenly spread in an oil phase. A notable use is in anhydrous or oil-based products, where it supports smooth, stable textures.

What does Polyglyceryl-5 Polyricinoleate do in skincare?

Polyglyceryl-5 Polyricinoleate is a nonionic emulsifier and dispersing agent. It is used mainly to keep water droplets and pigments evenly spread within an oil phase, which helps water-in-oil and oil-based products stay smooth and stable. It is a formulation helper rather than an active.

Is Polyglyceryl-5 Polyricinoleate safe?

This ingredient is a widely used cosmetic emulsifier and is generally considered well tolerated at typical use levels. As with any ingredient, sensitive individuals could react, so patch testing is reasonable if you tend to react. We do not make medical claims about it.

Is Polyglyceryl-5 Polyricinoleate natural or synthetic?

It is best described as semi-synthetic. It is made by combining polyglycerin with polyricinoleic acid, which is derived from castor oil, a plant source. So it has plant-based building blocks that are processed into the final emulsifier.

Sunscreens with Polyglyceryl-5 Polyricinoleate

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

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