Glyceryl Stearate

Safety Information

U.S. Food and Drug Administration

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) includes glyceryl stearate (also called glyceryl monostearate) in its list of direct food additives affirmed as Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS).

Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety

The safety of glyceryl stearate and glyceryl stearate SE has been assessed by the Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety. The Expert Panel evaluated the scientific data and concluded that glyceryl stearate and glyceryl stearate SE were safe for use in cosmetics and personal care products.

The Expert Panel reviewed chronic studies of glyceryl stearate that showed no adverse effects on reproduction and no carcinogenic effects.

Human exposure studies of products containing glyceryl stearate and glyceryl stearate SE, as well as clinical experience, have shown these compounds to be nonsensitizing, nonphototoxic and nonphotosensitizing.

If they are made from plants, glyceryl stearate and glyceryl stearate SE may be used in cosmetics and personal care products marketed in Europe according to the general provisions of the Cosmetics Regulation of the European Union.

Ingredients made from animal sources must comply with the European Union animal by-products regulations.

Resources

Glyceryl Stearate

What Is It?

Glyceryl stearate and glyceryl stearate SE are esterification products of glycerin and stearic acid. Glyceryl stearate is a white or cream-colored wax-like solid.

Glyceryl stearate SE is a “self-emulsifying” form of glyceryl stearate that also contains a small amount of sodium and or potassium stearate.

Why Is It Used?

Glyceryl stearate acts as a lubricant on the skin’s surface, which gives the skin a soft and smooth appearance. It also slows the loss of water from the skin by forming a barrier on the skin’s surface. Glyceryl stearate and glyceryl stearate SE help to form emulsions by reducing the surface tension of the substances to be emulsified.

Scientific Facts

Glyceryl stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid, a fatty acid obtained from animal and vegetable fats and oils.

Glyceryl stearate SE is produced by reacting an excess of stearic acid with glycerin.