Glyceryl Stearate Lactate

Glyceryl Stearate Lactate 1
Glyceryl Stearate Lactate 2
Plant-Derived
Emollient
Cleanser
Emulsifier
Skin Conditioner
Not Clean
Octadecanoic acid, ester with 1,2,3-propanetriol 2-hydroxypropanoate
CAS #
12338-10-9
Form
Wax
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.
Emulsifying
Forces oil and water to stay mixed instead of separating into layers. The unsung hero holding your lotion together.
Locks In Moisture
Traditional Use
A modern synthetic ingredient created by combining glycerin, stearic acid, and lactic acid. Developed for use as an emollient and skin-conditioning agent in cosmetics.
EWG
4
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Regulatory Status
USA✔ permitted
EU⚠ restricted
JAPAN⚠ restricted
CANADA⚠ restricted
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
Dryness
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewed1 paper →
⚖️Regulatory1 listing →
🛡️Safety-assessed2 reviews →
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
Verified Jun 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR