Polyglyceryl-5 Stearate

Polyglyceryl-5 Stearate 1
Plant-Derived
Cleanser
Emulsifier
Plant Oil
Not Clean
Polyglyceryl-5 Stearate is the monoester of stearic acid and Polyglycerin-5
CAS #
37349-34-1
Functions
Emulsifying
Forces oil and water to stay mixed instead of separating into layers. The unsung hero holding your lotion together.
Emulsifier
Mixes Oil & Water
Traditional Use
Synthesized in the mid-to-late 20th century from polyglycerin and stearic acid. Designed as a versatile emulsifier to replace traditional soap and animal-derived emulsifiers in a wide range of cosmetic products.
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
General
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: CosIng · EWG · CIR