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Ingredient · INCI reference

Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate

Polyglyceryl-3 methylglucose distearate is a mild, PEG-free, plant-derived nonionic emulsifier used to bind the oil and water phases of skin care and sun care emulsions.

Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate

What it is

Polyglyceryl-3 methylglucose distearate is a nonionic oil-in-water emulsifier formed as a diester of stearic acid with a polyglyceryl ether of methylglucose. It combines a sugar- and glycerin-based water-loving portion with two oil-loving stearate chains, so it sits at the oil-water interface and helps the oily and watery parts of a formula blend into a stable lotion or cream. It is valued as a PEG-free option that still gives emulsions a broad working pH and notable resistance to both heat and cold. In sun care it disperses oils and pigments evenly, which helps the formula spread smoothly.

Safety & warnings

As a nonionic, sugar-based emulsifier it carries no electrical charge and is generally described as mild and well tolerated, which is why it is often chosen for products intended for sensitive skin. It is used at modest levels as a structural ingredient rather than an active. Like most emulsifiers it is meant to be formulated within typical use ranges; tolerability in the finished product depends on the overall formulation.

Origin & sourcing

It is produced from renewable, vegetable-derived raw materials: methylglucose (a derivative of glucose, typically from corn), polyglycerol made from glycerin, and stearic acid (a fatty acid commonly sourced from plant oils such as palm). These are combined so that the methylglucose-polyglycerol portion is esterified with stearic acid, yielding a plant-based, PEG-free emulsifier.

Questions everyone asks

What is polyglyceryl-3 methylglucose distearate used for?

It is an emulsifier that holds the oil and water parts of a cream or lotion together so the product stays smooth and stable, including in sunscreens.

Is it PEG-free and plant-based?

Yes. It is a PEG-free, nonionic emulsifier made from vegetable-derived materials such as methylglucose, glycerin-based polyglycerol, and stearic acid.

Does it make sunscreen more effective on its own?

It is not a UV filter. It helps disperse the filters and oils evenly so the product applies smoothly, but it does not provide UV protection by itself.

Sources & references

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