How we scored it
Polyglycerin-4 is about four glycerol units joined by condensation (water lost); every atom comes from glycerin, which is natural → 1.00. Same as Polyglycerin-3.
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
Vegetable glycerin condensed to short chains of about four units.
In plain English
A small chain of four linked glycerin units, made by joining plant-derived glycerin together. Used as a humectant that draws moisture into skin and hair.
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.
- 2POLYGLYCERIN-4. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
- 3POLYGLYCERIN-4. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=POLYGLYCERIN-4