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Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate

What Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate is & what it does

A gentle, plant-derived emulsifier that blends oil and water into smooth, stable creams and lotions. It is often paired with a co-emulsifier like polyglyceryl-6 behenate and is a popular PEG-free choice for mild, skin-friendly formulas. It conditions the skin surface lightly while doing its main job of holding the emulsion together.

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

Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate is a nonionic emulsifier. It blends the oil and water phases of a sunscreen into one smooth, stable lotion and keeps them from separating. It is made by joining glycerin units with stearic acid, a fatty acid, which is why it is a favourite PEG-free emulsifier in gentle, naturally positioned formulas.

Is Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate safe?

Yes. It is a mild, well-tolerated emulsifier widely used in skincare and sunscreen. It is built from glycerin and a plant-style fatty acid, works on the surface of the formula, and is used in small amounts, so it is non-irritating for most people. Being PEG-free, it also sidesteps the trace 1,4-dioxane question that comes up with ethoxylated emulsifiers.

Does Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate clog pores?

Generally no. It is treated as low on the comedogenicity scale and is not a classic pore-clogging ingredient. It is a lightweight emulsifier used in small amounts rather than a heavy oil or butter. If you are breaking out, the richer emollients and oils elsewhere in a formula are the more likely cause.

Is Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate fungal-acne safe?

For most people it is fine, but if you are fungal-acne prone you may prefer to avoid it. It is built on a fatty (stearic) part that the malassezia yeast behind fungal acne can potentially use, which is why it appears on feeder lists. This is one specific skin concern rather than a broad safety problem, so it only matters if fungal acne is something you deal with.

Is Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate vegan or natural?

It is usually plant-derived and is a common pick for vegan and naturally positioned formulas, though it is technically nature-derived rather than found ready-made in nature. It is built by joining glycerin with a fatty acid that typically comes from vegetable sources. If strict vegan sourcing matters to you, the brand can confirm the origin of its fatty acid.

Sunscreens with Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate

We rate 130 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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