How we scored it
Polyglycerol-4 (about 4 glycerin units condensed, C12H26O9 314 Da) + cocoyl (mainly lauroyl C12H23O 183 Da); glycerin and coconut acids both natural; no EO. 497 / 497 = 1.0.
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 from vegetable-oil processing is condensed to polyglycerol-4 and esterified with coconut fatty acids. Glycerin from epichlorohydrin exists but is not the dominant cosmetic supply.
In plain English
An emulsifier and emollient that helps oil and water mix and leaves skin feeling soft. It is made from glycerin joined into short chains and attached to fatty acids from coconut oil.
CosIng definition: 1,2,3-Propanetriol, homopolymer, coco-fatty acid esters (1:1) (4 mol glycerol average molar ratio)
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.
- 2POLYGLYCERYL-4 COCOATE. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
- 3POLYGLYCERYL-4 COCOATE. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=POLYGLYCERYL-4%20COCOATE