What Is Glyceryl Stearate???

Glyceryl Stearate is found in many cosmetic products from hair products, to lotions, to skin creams and its one of those ingredients that is always questionable. Well here is some info on Glyceryl Stearate which is derived from palm kernel, vegetable or soy oil and is also found naturally in the human body. It acts as a lubricant on the skin’s surface, which gives the skin a soft and smooth appearance (Source). It easily penetrates the skin and slows the loss of water from the skin by forming a barrier on the skin’s surface. It has been shown to protect skin from free-radical damage as well.

Chemically, Glyceryl Stearate is used to stabilize products, decrease water evaporation, make products freeze-resistant, and keep them from forming surface crusts. Glyceryl Stearate reduces the greasiness of oils used in certain cosmetics and personal care products, according to CosmeticsInfo.org.