Polyhydroxystearic Acid

Polyhydroxystearic Acid molecular structure
molecular structure · PubChem
Plant-Derived
Cleanser
Emulsifier
Acid
Clean
12-Hydroxyoctadecanoic acid, homopolymer
Family
Not applicable – Synthetic ingredient
CAS #
27924-99-8, 58128-22-6
Form
Liquid
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
A synthetic derivative of stearic acid created to improve the texture and spreadability of cosmetic formulations; developed as part of modern chemistry advances to enhance product feel without traditional animal-derived stearic acid.
EWG
1
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not an Irritant
ewg-1
medical-approval
pregnancy-nursing-safe
all-shades-safe
Regulatory Status
USA✔ permitted
EU⚠ restricted
JAPAN⚠ restricted
CANADA⚠ restricted
Skin Types
●all-skin-types, gentle
Best For
General
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.
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Verified Jun 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR