No products in the cart.: $0.00
Glyceryl Stearate
ORY® product lines:
☑ Skincare
☑ Haircare
◐ Handmade Soap (limited: syndet and lotion bars)
☑ Cosmetics — three-line functional ingredient
Glyceryl stearate is the ester of glycerin and stearic acid — a plant-derived, low-HLB (oil-loving) emulsifier and emollient that has been used in creams for nearly a century. On its own it is a water-in-oil emulsifier and a superb co-emulsifier and thickener; paired with a water-loving partner (PEG-100 stearate, polysorbate, or a glucoside) it forms robust oil-in-water creams. It leaves a soft, non-greasy, skin-like film because monoglycerides resemble the skin’s own lipids. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Panel has concluded glyceryl stearate is safe in cosmetics [1], and emollient lipids of this type support barrier repair [2]. It is the “SE” self-emulsifying grade (see the separate document) that adds a built-in soap-based co-emulsifier for stand-alone use.
What is Glyceryl Stearate made of?
Glyceryl stearate is produced by esterifying glycerin with stearic acid (from coconut, palm, or rapeseed), or by glycerolysis of vegetable fats. Points to know [1]:
- Glycerin + stearic acid monoester (with some di-ester): White waxy flakes; melts at ~58–65 °C.
- HLB ~3.8: Oil-loving; water-in-oil emulsifier alone, oil-in-water co-emulsifier with a high-HLB partner.
- Skin-mimetic: Monoglycerides resemble natural skin lipids; leaves a breathable, non-greasy film.
- Vegan; palm-free grades available.
What skin type is best suited for Glyceryl Stearate?
Glyceryl stearate suits all seven ORY® skin types as a gentle, skin-like emulsifier:
- Dry: Fatty-alcohol emollience softens and reduces water loss; glyceryl stearate lets ORY® build richer creams.
- Sensitive: Non-irritating, fragrance-free structural ingredient; suitable for reactive and eczema-prone skin (rare fatty-alcohol allergy — patch test).
- Mature: Supports rich, cushioning creams and barrier balms.
- Normal: Everyday lotion and cream structure.
- Combination: Adjust level for lighter lotions.
- Oily: Non-greasy, skin-like film; suitable for light lotions.
- Acne-prone: Low comedogenicity at typical levels; keep formulas light.
What hair type is best suited for Glyceryl Stearate?
Glyceryl stearate thickens and conditions in creamy haircare:
- Dry or damaged: Glyceryl stearate adds slip, softness, and body to conditioners and masks.
- Curly and coily: Thickens rich conditioners and leave-ins for detangling.
- Color-treated or chemically processed: Cushioning conditioner base for fragile hair.
- Straight and wavy: Light conditioners at low levels.
- Oily scalp: Rinse-off use; keep leave-in levels low.
- Sensitive scalp, dandruff-prone, mature or thinning: Inert structural ingredient; neutral for scalp conditions.
What are the benefits of Glyceryl Stearate?
Glyceryl stearate’s benefits are functional and skin-compatible [1, 2]:
- Emulsifier / co-emulsifier: Stabilizes oil-in-water creams with a partner; W/O alone.
- Emollient: Soft, skin-like, non-greasy film.
- Thickener and opacifier: Body and creamy appearance.
- Barrier support: Monoglyceride film reduces water loss [2].
- Pigment dispersion: Helps disperse pigments and sunscreen minerals.
- Hair conditioning: Creamy slip in conditioners and styling creams.
- Gentle: Non-irritating; suitable for baby and sensitive-skin products.
Dual use across ORY® product lines
Glyceryl stearate serves emulsions, conditioners, and cosmetics; it is not used in cold-process soap.
Pros and cons of Glyceryl Stearate
Pros
Cons
- Skin-like, non-greasy: Excellent sensory.
- Gentle, CIR-reviewed: Baby-product safe [1].
- Versatile: W/O alone; O/W with a partner.
- Vegan, plant-derived: Coconut, palm, or rapeseed.
- Affordable, stable: Long shelf life.
- Needs a partner for O/W creams: Alone it will not hold an oil-in-water emulsion (use the SE grade or add a high-HLB emulsifier).
- Limited viscosity alone: Pair with fatty alcohols.
- Palm sourcing: Specify certified material.
- No active benefit: Structural.
What is the best application of Glyceryl Stearate?
Glyceryl stearate is built into cream bases:
- Cream or lotion: 2–4% with 1–2% polysorbate 60, PEG-100 stearate, or cetearyl glucoside.
- Sunscreen: 2–3% for mineral dispersion.
- Conditioner or styling cream: 1–3%.
- Cosmetics: Foundation and cream blush base.
Peer-reviewed references
- Elder RL (ed). Final report on the safety assessment of glyceryl stearate and glyceryl stearate SE. Journal of the American College of Toxicology. 1982;1(4):169–192.
- Lodén M. Role of topical emollients and moisturizers in the treatment of dry skin barrier disorders. American Journal of Clinical Dermatology. 2003;4(11):771–788.
Disclaimer:
The information on this page is provided by ORY International, LC for educational purposes only. It summarizes published research about glyceryl stearate as an ingredient, including laboratory and animal studies and clinical studies of formulas that may differ from ORY® products. Results from these studies may not apply to every person or to ORY® products. This page is not medical advice and does not replace advice from a dermatologist, physician, or other qualified healthcare provider.
ORY® Skincare, Haircare, Handmade Soap, and Cosmetics products are cosmetics. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, mitigate, or prevent any disease or condition, including eczema, dermatitis, acne, dandruff, or any other condition. References to FDA or Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) findings describe the ingredient, not ORY® products, and do not mean FDA has reviewed or approved any ORY® product.
Results vary by skin and scalp type, formulation, and use. Emulsifiers are rarely irritating at normal use levels, and any cosmetic can cause irritation, sometimes from other ingredients. Always patch test, follow label directions, and stop use if irritation occurs. If you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition, or are buying for a child, consult a healthcare provider before use.
ORY International, LC works to keep this page accurate and current but makes no warranty as to its completeness. To the fullest extent permitted by law, ORY International, LC is not liable for any loss or injury arising from reliance on this information or from use of any product contrary to its label directions. To report a reaction, contact us at [insert contact email / phone].
