How we scored it
Polyglycerol-5 (natural glycerin-derived) monoesterified with stearic acid (C18, palm/tallow-derived, natural). No petrochemical fragment. 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
Vegetable (or animal) glycerin is etherified to polyglycerol-5, then esterified with stearic acid from palm or tallow. Standard oleochemical process.
In plain English
A plant-derived emulsifier made from glycerin and stearic acid, used to help blend oil and water in a formula.
CosIng definition: Polyglyceryl-5 Stearate is the monoester of stearic acid and Polyglycerin-5
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-5 STEARATE. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
- 3POLYGLYCERYL-5 STEARATE. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=POLYGLYCERYL-5%20STEARATE