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Sodium Starch Octenylsuccinate

What Sodium Starch Octenylsuccinate is & what it does

Sodium Starch Octenylsuccinate is a modified starch derived from natural sources such as corn or potato, treated with octenylsuccinic anhydride and neutralized to a sodium salt. In skincare and sunscreen formulas it acts mainly as an emulsion stabilizer and texture enhancer, helping to thicken the product and give a smooth, soft feel on the skin. It is often used to absorb oil and provide a powdery, mattifying finish.

What does Sodium Starch Octenylsuccinate do in skincare?

Sodium Starch Octenylsuccinate is a modified starch used mainly to absorb excess oil and improve texture. In creams and sunscreens it helps thicken the formula and lends a soft, powdery, mattifying finish. It can also stabilize emulsions so the product stays uniform.

Is Sodium Starch Octenylsuccinate natural or synthetic?

It is plant-derived but chemically modified. The base starch comes from natural sources like corn or potato, and it is then treated with octenylsuccinic anhydride and neutralized to form the sodium salt. So it is best described as a naturally sourced, modified ingredient rather than purely natural or fully synthetic.

Is Sodium Starch Octenylsuccinate comedogenic?

Sodium Starch Octenylsuccinate is generally considered low risk for clogging pores and is often used in oil-absorbing, mattifying products. As with any ingredient, individual reactions can vary depending on the full formula and your skin type. If you are prone to breakouts, patch testing a new product is a sensible step.

Sunscreens with Sodium Starch Octenylsuccinate

We rate 19 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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