All categories
Featured selections
Trade Assurance
Buyer Central
Help Center
Get the app
Become a supplier
(821 products available)
Ready to Ship
Glyceryl stearate is a popular emulsifier widely applied in various cosmetic and pharmaceutical products because of its ability to blend oil and water components. Several forms of glyceryl stearate are available, each suited to particular commercial needs. These forms are derived either from how the glyceryl stearate is manufactured or its intended use. Here are the most common types:
Glyceryl stearate SE(Special Edition) is a self-emulsifying type of glyceryl stearate. It also comes with a small amount of sodium stearoyl lactylate added to it as an emulsifier activator glyceryl stearate produces lotions and creams with a pleasant and stable texture. It is frequently found in cosmetic products and skin-care formulations.
Glyceryl monostearate is an emulsifying agent made by chemically altering stearic acid and glycerin to produce a compound that can mix oil and water components. In diverse applications, such as food emulsifiers, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics, it acts as an emulsifier.
Glyceryl stearate citrate is a more effective self-emulsifying agent than glyceryl monostearate because it is produced from the reaction of citric acid, stearic acid, and glycerin. It is frequently used in skin-care products due to its emulsifying and moisturizing properties.
When citric acid is combined with stearic acid and glycerin, glyceryl stearate citrate is generated. This compound has many desirable properties, such as thickening the skin and boosting its ability to stay hydrated. Glyceryl stearate citrate is a commonly used emulsifier in the food and drug industries.
Glyceryl stearate has vital applications in the cosmetic space. It is used in emulsification and stabilization in creams, lotions, and moisturizers. It helps create smooth, easily spreadable products by blending oily and aqueous components. Additionally, glyceryl stearate seals moisture inside the skin, so it is commonly found in skin-care wares.
In the pharmaceutical industry, glyceryl stearate acts as an emulsifier and thickener in ointments and creams. It enhances drug dispersion and absorption in pharmaceutical formulations, improving the effectiveness of medicinal products applied topically. Its non-irritating properties also help create wares for sensitive skin.
Because of its food-safe nature, glyceryl stearate is also used as an emulsifier in the food industry. It blends fats with aqueous components like water and milk in food formulations, such as baked products, margarine, and confectionery. This ensures uniform distribution of components across the food product, improving texture and shelf life.
In plastics, glyceryl stearate is used as a lubricant and release agent during production. It decreases friction between the molded product and the mold, improving the shaping process of various plastic wares. Since glyceryl stearate promotes a smooth surface and enhances the finished product's quality, it is commonly used in injection molding and extrusion processes.
In the textile industry, glyceryl stearate is used to treat fabrics and fibers. It works as a lubricant during spinning and weaving to reduce friction. It also improves fabric feel and reduces static buildup in finished clothing. Its emulsifying qualities help create and maintain textile finish formulations.
Appearance
Glyceryl stearate usually comes as a white or off-white, waxy solid mass or powder. It may also come in flakes, depending on the product manufacturer.
Purity
In most glyceryl stearate products, the glycerol ester content should be at least 90% or higher. This is to ensure that the product performs adequately in various uses.
Melting Point
The melting point of glyceryl stearate ranges from 55°C to about 65°C (131°F to 149°F). This factor gives it emulsifying and thickening properties to sustain the product's consistency.
Acid Value
The acid value of glyceryl stearate should be less than 5. This means that there is only a small quantity of free fatty acids in the product, which may adversely affect its quality.
Saponification Value
The saponification value should generally be around 200 to 270 mg KOH/g. This indicates the amount of fatty acids that can be saponified or transformed into soap per gram of glyceryl stearate.
Cosmetics and Personal Care
In cosmetics, glyceryl stearate is used to create stable emulsions in creams, lotions, and moisturizers. It helps mix oily and watery components for better texture and application. In skin care wares, it also aids in moisture retention to improve the product's viscosity and offer a smoother feel on the skin.
Pharmaceuticals
For drug delivery, glyceryl stearate is an excellent excipient in topical ointments and creams. It improves the bioavailability of active ingredients to ensure the drugs get absorbed into the skin properly. Because of its versatility, it can be applied in several pharmaceutical wares, especially those targeted at sensitive skin.
Food Industry
In the food industry, glyceryl stearate is applied as a food-safe emulsifier and texture enhancer in confectioneries, baked products, and margarine. It homogenizes fats and aqueous components for uniform distribution. It also adds to food's texture and shelf life to help maintain the quality and integrity of the final product over time.
Cool and Dry Conditions
Store glyceryl stearate in a cool, dry area that is well-ventilated and away from direct sunlight. The ideal ambient storage temperature is between 20°C and 25°C (68°F and 77°F). This ensures it retains its quality and efficacy.
Water and Humidity
Humidity and moisture can adversely affect the quality of glyceryl stearate by causing clumping or degradation. Therefore, the product must be stored in a watertight container to prevent exposure to moisture and humidity.
Original Packaging
It is advisable to keep glyceryl stearate in its original packaging, such as sealed bags or containers, which are usually made of airtight materials. These materials will protect against environmental contamination. Proper packaging helps maintain the material's purity.
Separation Prevention
Glyceryl stearate will typically come in powder or flake form. Therefore, it is crucial to prevent any blending with other products. It should also be separated from staining chemicals or other impurities that may compromise its quality.
Purity and Composition
This compound generally has a high level of purity. Its glycerol ester content usually exceeds 90%. This makes it effective as an emulsifier and thickening agent. The high level of purity means that glyceryl stearate has minimal contaminants or impurities. This ensures it is always safe for application in all industries.
Emulsification and Stabilization Properties
How glyceryl stearate is able to blend and stabilize various formulations is one of the key parameters determining product quality. It is especially critical in industries like cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. It is also important because of how essential formulation stability is to product efficacy and consistency. It always delivers stellar performance in these spaces by ensuring that creams and lotions do not separate over time.
Texture and Feel
Glyceryl stearate contributes to a pleasant texture in glyceryl stearate-containing cosmetics and skin creams. It enhances spreadability and absorption. This makes the cream or lotion feel good on the skin. Its contribution to texture is a major quality determinant in the personal care industry.
Product Shelf Life
When stored in ideal conditions, glyceryl stearate has a long product shelf life. It does not go bad easily, especially when used in formulations. It is a very stable compound that does not easily degrade over time. This stability also extends to those wares' effectiveness and safety long after production.
Heat and Temperature Resistance
Glyceryl stearate has strong resistance to varying heat and temperature conditions. For instance, during the emulsification process, it can withstand a significantly high level of temperature without losing its efficacy. This property is particularly vital in those industries, like cosmetics and food, that require the product quality to be consistent despite temperature fluctuations in production or storage.
Formulation Stability
The durability of formulations containing glyceryl stearate is exceptionally high. As previously mentioned, glyceryl stearate helps keep emulsions stable, thus preventing separation or degradation in constantly mixed products. This was especially critical for products that require storage and use over long periods.
Compatibility with Various Ingredients
Glyceryl stearate is versatile because it works well with a wide range of ingredients like oils, waxes, and active pharmaceutical components. Its adaptability ensures formulation durability across multiple industries.
A1: Chem manufacturers usually apply glyceryl stearate as a stabilizer and emulsifying agent in the production of food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. It helps fuse together water and oils in these wares to improve texture and consistency. Its moisturizing properties also make it a great addition to skin creams and lotions that aid in skin hydration.
A2: Glyceryl stearate can be manufactured from either natural sources or synthetically manufactured stearic acid and glycerin. It is mostly synthesized from plant-based oils like palm or soybean oil. This means that it is classified as a natural emulsifier.
A3: No. When mixed into skin-care formulations, glyceryl stearate comes with a comedogenic level of 2. This means that it will not cause pore blockage or acne, as its comedogenic level is pretty low and thus allows the skin to breathe as normal.
A4: Glyceryl stearate is amphiphilic. This means that it comes with both hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties. It contains a hydrophilic (water-attracting) glycerin part and a hydrophobic (water-repelling) stearic acid part. This allows it to blend oils and water in varying proportions, forming stable emulsions.
