Polyglyceryl-3 Dicitrate/Stearate

AKA: Polyglyceryl-3 Ester, Emulsifier

Plant-Derived

Cleanser

Emulsifier

Chemical Exfoliant

Clean

Polyglyceryl-3 Dicitrate/Stearate is the diester of Polyglycerin-3 with a mixture of Citric Acid and Stearic Acid.

Functions

Cleansing

Makes oil and water mix so dirt, makeup, and sunscreen can actually be washed away. The reason your face wash foams.

Emulsifying

Forces oil and water to stay mixed instead of separating into layers. The unsung hero holding your lotion together.

Cleansing Surfactant

Emulsifier

Brightens Skin

Removes Impurities

Mixes Oil & Water

Traditional Use

A contemporary synthetic emulsifier and chelating agent combining polyglycerin with citric acid and stearic acid. Developed to stabilize formulations and prevent oxidation in modern cosmetics.

EWG

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

Regulatory Agencies

EWG CIR FDA EU COSING Health Canada

Skin Types

●all-skin-types

Best For

General

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe

Yes

The paper trail

🔬Peer-reviewednone on file

⚖️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