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Trihydroxystearin

What Trihydroxystearin is & what it does

A castor-derived gellant that thickens oils and stabilizes emulsions, helping suspend pigments and filters. It gives rich, stable textures.

What does Trihydroxystearin do in skincare?

Trihydroxystearin is used mainly as a thickener and stabilizer, helping give products a richer texture and keeping the formula uniform. It is a derivative of castor-related fatty acids and is common in balms, creams, and color cosmetics. It supports texture and stability rather than acting as a skin active.

Is Trihydroxystearin comedogenic?

Trihydroxystearin is generally used at small amounts as a texturizer, and it is not widely flagged as a high-risk pore-clogging ingredient. Individual responses vary, and how a product behaves depends on its full formula rather than one ingredient. If you are prone to clogged pores, testing on a small area first is sensible.

Is Trihydroxystearin safe?

Trihydroxystearin is a fatty-acid derivative widely used as a cosmetic thickener and is generally considered safe at typical use levels. It functions as a texture and stability aid rather than an active ingredient. As with any product, patch testing is reasonable if your skin is easily irritated.

Sunscreens with Trihydroxystearin

We rate 84 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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