Glycolipids

AKA: Sphingomyelins, Sphingomyelin (egg), LIPOID E-SM
Synthetic
Skin Conditioner
Clean
Glycolipids are mixed substances which contain carbohydrates covalently attached to a lipid
Formula
C24H50N2O6P+
Mol. Weight
493.60
State
Beige solid; [Sigma-Aldrich MSDS]
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.
Locks in moisture
Traditional Use
A class of lipid molecules found naturally in plant and animal cell membranes, recently isolated and synthesized for modern skincare. They were discovered to support skin barrier function and have been incorporated into contemporary cosmetics based on their role in cellular communication.
EWG
1
CIR
Insufficient
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
ewg-1
pregnancy-nursing-safe
all-shades-safe
Regulatory Status
USAunder review
EUrestricted
JAPANrestricted
CANADArestricted
Skin Types
all-skin-types, gentle
Best For
Dryness
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewed1 paper
⚖️Regulatory1 listing
🛡️Safety-assessed1 review
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR