How we scored it
Glyceryl stearate (stearic acid + glycerin, both natural) plus a little sodium or potassium stearate as self-emulsifier (fatty acid + mineral alkali). All fragments natural = 1.00.
What counts. ISO 16128-2 scores the atoms that remain in the final ingredient. Reagents, solvents, catalysts and protecting groups used during manufacture leave no mass behind and are not counted.
Where it comes from
Glycerin is esterified with stearic acid (palm or other vegetable oil) and a little sodium or potassium stearate soap is included so the product self-emulsifies. Some trade grades of self-emulsifying glyceryl stearate use PEG-100 stearate instead, which would lower the value, so confirm the supplier grade.
In plain English
An emulsifier and thickener that helps oil and water blend in creams and lotions. It is made from glycerin and stearic acid from vegetable oils, with a little sodium or potassium soap that lets it emulsify without extra emulsifiers.
References
- 1ISO 16128-1:2016 and ISO 16128-2:2017 — Guidelines on technical definitions and criteria for natural and organic cosmetic ingredients and products. ISO, Geneva.
- 2GLYCERYL STEARATE SE. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
- 3GLYCERYL STEARATE SE. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=GLYCERYL%20STEARATE%20SE