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Sucrose Polystearate

What Sucrose Polystearate is & what it does

A sugar-based emulsifier that stabilizes light, smooth creams and disperses oils evenly. It gives a soft, conditioned finish.

What does Sucrose Polystearate do in skincare?

Sucrose Polystearate is a sugar-based emulsifier made from sucrose and stearic acid. It helps blend the oil and water phases of a formula and can give creams a soft, pleasant skin feel. It is often chosen for gentle, mild emulsifying systems.

Is Sucrose Polystearate natural or synthetic?

It is usually described as naturally derived: it is made by combining sucrose (sugar) with stearic acid (a fatty acid) through a chemical process. The starting materials are typically plant-based. The finished ingredient is a processed ester rather than something found ready-made in nature.

Is Sucrose Polystearate vegan?

The sucrose is plant-based, and when the stearic acid is also plant-derived the ingredient is suitable for vegan formulas. Because stearic acid can sometimes come from animal fat, the source can vary by supplier. Check with the brand if you need to confirm a vegan product.

Sunscreens with Sucrose Polystearate

We rate 35 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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