What it is
Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate is an ester formed from polyglycerol-3 (a short chain of three glycerin units linked together) and two molecules of stearic acid. The polyglycerol part is water-loving and the stearate chains are oil-loving, so the molecule sits at the oil-water interface and stabilizes emulsions. It is a non-ionic, PEG-free emulsifier, which makes it popular in formulas marketed as gentle or PEG-free, and it appears in a wide range of creams, lotions and sunscreens. Ingredient databases list its function as emulsifying.
Safety & warnings
Polyglyceryl esters are non-ionic emulsifiers generally regarded as mild and well tolerated, and they are often chosen for sensitive-skin and PEG-free formulations. Consumer ingredient references do not flag Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate as a notable irritant or allergen. As with any emulsifier, tolerance is best judged from the finished product, since sunscreens contain many ingredients together.
Origin & sourcing
It is made from renewable-friendly building blocks: polyglycerol, produced by linking glycerin molecules together, is esterified with stearic acid, a fatty acid obtainable from plant or animal fats. The glycerin and fatty acid feedstocks are commonly plant-derived, though the exact source depends on the supplier.
Questions everyone asks
What does Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate do?
It is an emulsifier that keeps oil and water mixed together, helping a sunscreen or cream stay smooth, stable and uniform.
Is it PEG-free?
Yes. It is built from polyglycerol and stearic acid rather than polyethylene glycol, so it is commonly used in formulas marketed as PEG-free.
Is it derived from plants?
Its glycerin and stearic acid components are commonly plant-derived, though the precise source depends on the manufacturer.