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Propylene Glycol Stearate

What Propylene Glycol Stearate is & what it does

Propylene Glycol Stearate is the ester of propylene glycol and stearic acid, a waxy fatty material used in creams and lotions. In a sunscreen or moisturizer it acts mainly as an emulsifier and emollient, helping oil and water phases mix and giving the product a smooth, conditioning feel. It is a common, general-purpose formulation aid.

What does Propylene Glycol Stearate do in skincare?

Propylene Glycol Stearate works mainly as an emulsifier and emollient. It helps the oil and water parts of a cream, lotion, or sunscreen blend into a stable mixture, and it leaves a smooth, conditioned feel on the skin. It is a common, general-purpose texture and stability ingredient.

Is Propylene Glycol Stearate comedogenic?

Propylene Glycol Stearate is a fatty-acid ester, and like some other waxy emollients it may have a low to moderate pore-clogging potential depending on the formula and concentration. Reactions vary a lot from person to person, so those prone to clogged pores may want to patch test. The finished product's overall design matters more than any single ingredient.

Is Propylene Glycol Stearate natural or synthetic?

Propylene Glycol Stearate is typically considered synthetic, as it is made by combining propylene glycol with stearic acid. The stearic acid portion can be sourced from plant or animal fats, but the ester itself is produced through chemical processing. It is a standard, lab-made formulation aid.

Sunscreens with Propylene Glycol Stearate

We rate 21 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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