Sucrose Polybehenate
molecular structure · PubChem
Plant-Derived
Emollient
Cleanser
Emulsifier
Skin Conditioner
Not Clean
OriginDerived from sucrose (sugar) and behenic acid (a long-chain fatty acid from plant oils). Produced through esterification, chemically bonding sugar molecules to behenic acid chains.
.alpha.-d-Glucopyranoside,.beta.-d-fructofuranosyl, esters with docosanoic acid
CAS #
56449-50-4, 93571-82-5
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
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.
Emollient
Fills in the tiny cracks between skin cells to make everything feel smooth and soft. The "silky finish" ingredient.
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.
Locks In Moisture
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewednone on file
⚖️Regulatory1 listing →
🛡️Safety-assessed1 review →
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
EWG
4
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Skin Irritant
2 studies / 2 not irritating (CIR 721)
Not a Sensitizer
1 study / 1 not sensitizing (CIR 721)
Concentration Guide
Leave-on1–6%
Rinse-offNot reported
0%50%100%
CIR reported use · report published 2021
Regulatory Agencies
Verified Jun 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR
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