Ethylhexyl Polyhydroxystearate

Plant-Derived
Emollient
Skin Conditioner
Clean
OriginDerived from plant-based stearic acid through esterification with ethylhexyl alcohol. Synthesized by combining hydrogenated vegetable oil derivatives with polyhydroxy compounds through chemical esterification.
Ethylhexyl Polyhydroxystearate is the ester of 2-ethylhexanol and Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Family
N/A (synthetically derived)
CAS #
1423155-00-3
Skin Types
●all-skin-types, gentle
Best For
Dryness
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
Functions
Skin Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Emollient
Fills in the tiny cracks between skin cells to make everything feel smooth and soft. The "silky finish" ingredient.
Locks In Moisture
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewednone on file
⚖️Regulatory1 listing →
🛡️Safety-assessed1 review →
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
EWG
1
CIR
Safe
Pregnancy
Yes
Regulatory Status
USA✔ permitted
EU⚠ restricted
JAPAN⚠ restricted
CANADA⚠ restricted
Verified Jun 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR