Sodium Starch Octenylsuccinate
AKA: Modified Starch, Thickener
Synthetic
Emulsifier
Clean
Starch, esters with sodium hydrogen octenylbutanedioate
CAS #
66829-29-6, 52906-93-1, 70714-61-3
Form
Powder
Functions
Absorbent
Emulsion Stabilising
Forces oil and water to stay mixed instead of separating into layers. The unsung hero holding your lotion together.
Viscosity Controlling
Anti-Inflammatory
Antimicrobial
Fights Acne
Absorbs excess oil
Keeps product blended
Controls product thickness
Traditional Use
Synthetic modified starch developed in the mid-20th century for cosmetic and food applications. Created to improve texture, oil absorption, and stability in skincare formulations as an alternative to natural starches.
EWG
1
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Concentration Guide
Dermal absorption: 2%. Source: CIR Safety Assessment (CIR Seq 680).
Regulatory Agencies
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