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Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate

What Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate is & what it does

A plant-derived emulsifier that helps blend oil and water and adds body to creams and lotions. It is built from glycerin and behenic acid, a long-chain fatty acid, which gives formulas a stable, smooth texture. It is a gentle, modern alternative to older synthetic emulsifiers and is used to structure the base rather than to treat the skin.

What is Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate and what does it do in sunscreen?

Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate is an emulsifier built from glycerin and behenic acid, a long-chain fatty acid. In sunscreen it helps oil and water stay blended and adds body, giving creams and lotions a stable, smooth texture. It is a gentle, plant-derived choice used to structure the base rather than to treat the skin.

Is Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate safe?

Yes. Polyglyceryl esters like this are mild, well-tolerated emulsifiers widely used in modern skincare and sun care. Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate is not flagged as an allergen in our data and is considered gentle, which is part of why it is favored in sensitive-skin and natural formulas. At the levels used in sunscreen it is well tolerated by most people.

Does Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate clog pores?

Generally no. It does not carry a comedogenicity flag in our data, so it is an unlikely pore-clogging culprit. It is a gentle emulsifier used in modest amounts rather than a heavy oil or butter. If you are breaking out, richer emollients elsewhere in a formula are more likely responsible.

Does Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate feed fungal acne (malassezia)?

It can. Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate is built on a fatty (behenate) backbone, and the malassezia yeast behind fungal acne can feed on that fatty portion. People prone to fungal acne (malassezia folliculitis) may prefer to avoid it. This is one specific skin concern, not a general safety issue: for everyone else it is harmless and gentle.

Is Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate vegan or natural?

It is typically plant-derived and is generally suitable for vegan formulas, since it is made from glycerin and behenic acid that usually come from plant sources. It is processed in a lab to build the emulsifier, so it is best described as naturally derived rather than something that exists ready-made in nature. As always, certification depends on the specific brand and supplier.

Sunscreens with Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate

We rate 133 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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