Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate
Well toleratedEmulsifieremulsifier
No meaningful concern for most people; irritation is possible but rare.
What it is
Polyglyceryl esters are made by joining a few glycerin units into a short chain and attaching fatty acids, here two stearic acid units on a three-glycerin backbone. They give formulators a non-ethoxylated way to emulsify, which is why they are common in natural-certified balms and cream masks.
What it does well
Emulsifies without PEG or ethoxylation
Polyglyceryl esters are well-established emulsifiers with a good tolerance record and are the default choice in COSMOS-certified formulas.
Strong evidence
Where the EU stands
No specific restriction
No EU restriction on use or concentration in cosmetics.
