GLYCERYL DISTEARATE

Glyceryl distearate is the diester of stearic acid and ethylene glycol. 
Glyceryl distearate is mostly commonly encountered in personal care products and cosmetics where it is used to produce pearlescent effects as well as a moisturizer.
Glycol distearate may be produced via the esterification of stearic acid (or its esters) with ethylene glycol. 

CAS Number: 1188-58-5
Molecular Formula: C39H76O5
Molecular Weight: 625.02
EINECS Number: 256-941-4

Synonyms: Glyceryl distearate 2-propionate, Glyceryl 2-propionate distearate, UNII-620W161R03, 136552-27-7, 620W161R03, Octadecanoic acid, 2-(1-oxopropoxy)-1,3-propanediyl ester, DTXSID50159835, 2-PROPIONO-1,3-DISTEARIN, DTXCID9082326, SCHEMBL9716938, Q27263408, Bisoctadecanoic acid 1-(hydroxymethyl)-1,2-ethanediyl ester, Aids014767, Aids-014767, Nsc75181, Octadecanoic acid 2-hydroxy-1-octadecanoyloxy-ethyl ester, DL-a,b-Distearin, 3-hydroxypropane-1,2-diyl distearate, GLYCERYL DISTEARATE

Glyceryl distearate can also be produced by a reaction of stearic acid with ethylene oxide.
Glyceryl distearate is considered a safe, non-irritating, and non-toxic ingredient that plays a multifunctional role in modern cosmetic and pharmaceutical products, contributing to both their performance and their sensory appeal.
Glyceryl Distearate is a mixture of diglycerides, mainly glyceryl distearate, together with variable quantities of monoglycerides and triglycerides.

Glyceryl distearate is a white to off-white, waxy solid or powder that is commonly used in cosmetics and personal care products as an emulsifier, thickening agent, and skin-conditioning ingredient. 
Glyceryl distearate is a type of ester, formed by reacting glycerin (a natural humectant) with stearic acid, which is a saturated fatty acid usually derived from plant or animal sources.
In more technical terms, glyceryl distearate is considered a diglyceride, meaning it contains two stearic acid molecules attached to a glycerol backbone. 

This chemical structure allows it to interact with both water-based and oil-based ingredients, helping to blend them together smoothly into a stable emulsion. 
This makes it especially valuable in products like creams, lotions, sunscreens, conditioners, and makeup, where oil and water components need to remain evenly mixed.
Glyceryl distearate contains not less than 8.0 percent and not more than 22.0 percent of monoglycerides, not less than 40.0 percent and not more than 60.0 percent of diglycerides, and not less than 25.0 percent and not more than 35.0 percent of triglycerides.

Glyceryl distearate is obtained by partial glycerolysis of vegetable oil that consists mainly of triglycerides of palmitic or stearic acid or by esterication of glycerol with stearic acid.
Glyceryl distearate (C39H76O5) is a white or o-white waxy mass or powder.
Glyceryl distearate is a diester of glycerin and stearic acid and results in a mixture of mono-, di-, and triglyceride substances.

Glyceryl distearate is used in cosmetic products as an emollient, thickening agent and emulsier.
Glyceryl distearate can also be used in pharmaceutical industry in tablet and cream production.
Glyceryl distearate is a diester of glycerin and stearic acid, belongs to a chemical group called Glyceryl diesters.

When the two are reacted, a mixture of mono, di and triglyceride can be obtained.
Glyceryl distearate comes as an o-white to white waxy powder or mass.
Stearic acid is a naturally found saturated fatty acid, mainly from cocoa butter and shea butter.

Glyceryl distearate is a diester of glycerin and stearic acid, belongs to a chemical group called Glyceryl diesters. 
When the two are reacted, a mixture of mono, di and triglyceride can be obtained. 
It comes as an off-white to white waxy powder or mass. 

Glyceryl distearate is a naturally found saturated fatty acid, mainly from cocoa butter and shea butter.
Glyceryl distearate is a white or off-white waxy mass or powder. 
It is a diester of glycerin and stearic acid and results in a mixture of mono-, di-, and triglyceride substances. 

Glyceryl distearate is used in cosmetic products as an emollient, thickening agent and emulsifier. 
It can also be used in pharmaceutical industry in tablet and cream production.
Its use in skincare formulations is particularly popular because it not only helps to stabilize and thicken the texture of the product but also imparts a soft, smooth, and velvety feel to the skin after application. 

Glyceryl distearate acts as a lubricant on the skin’s surface, forming a barrier that helps prevent moisture loss without clogging pores or feeling greasy.
In addition to its sensory and structural functions, glyceryl distearate is often included in formulations for its ability to improve the spreadability and enhance the absorption of other active ingredients, which can help make skincare products more effective and pleasant to use.

Glyceryl distearate is generally recognized as safe for cosmetic use and is non-comedogenic, meaning it does not clog pores, which makes it suitable for people with oily or acne-prone skin. 
It is also non-irritating and hypoallergenic, so it is often found in gentle or dermatologist-recommended products intended for sensitive skin types.

Melting point: 72-74 °C
storage temp.: −20°C
Dielectric constant: 3.3（78℃）

Glyceryl distearate is a multifunctional ingredient widely used in the formulation of personal care and cosmetic products, where it serves primarily as an emulsifying agent, stabilizer, and thickener that helps create smooth, uniform textures in products that contain both oil and water components. 
It belongs to the family of glyceryl esters, which are derived from the combination of glycerin (a natural compound found in fats) and fatty acids—in this case, stearic acid, a long-chain saturated fatty acid that contributes to the creamy texture and richness of skincare formulas.

In emulsions such as lotions and creams, glyceryl distearate plays a critical role in binding together oil and water molecules, preventing them from separating over time, which helps maintain product stability, extend shelf life, and improve the user experience. 
Because of this property, it is commonly included in a wide variety of formulations, including moisturizers, sunscreens, conditioners, body washes, and cleansers, where it ensures consistency and prevents products from becoming watery or uneven in texture.

Beyond its technical function as an emulsifier, glyceryl distearate also enhances the sensory feel of products by giving them a silky, smooth, and non-greasy finish, which makes it especially valuable in skincare products designed for daily use. 
When applied to the skin, it creates a lightweight film that helps reduce transepidermal water loss, thereby keeping the skin hydrated and soft without feeling heavy or occlusive.

In addition, glyceryl distearate can act as a pearlizing agent, particularly in shampoos, body washes, and liquid soaps, where it imparts a shiny, pearlescent appearance to the final product, enhancing its visual appeal and suggesting a rich, luxurious quality. 
This effect is often used in combination with other conditioning agents to create premium-looking personal care items.
Glyceryl distearate is also valued for its ability to improve the spreadability and absorption of active ingredients, helping them to be distributed evenly across the skin or hair surface, which can enhance the overall performance and efficacy of the product. 

Glyceryl distearate is compatible with a wide range of other cosmetic ingredients, including botanical extracts, vitamins, silicones, and polymers, making it extremely versatile in product development.
Glyceryl Stearate (also less often called Glyceryl Monostearate, Monostearin, 1-Glyceryl Stearate or Glycerol 1-Monostearate) is a glyceryl ester of stearic acid.
Glyceryl distearate oers many great benets to the manufacturers of food, cosmetics, personal care, and pharmaceutical items.

Glyceryl distearate is relatively low cost and gives much needed body and smoothness to edible and non-edible emulsions.
Glyceryl stearate, also called glycerol monostearate, can be found naturally in the human body.
When it is synthetically produced, Glyceryl distearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid, a natural fatty acid derived from palm kernel, vegetable, or soy oil.

Glyceryl stearate is formed through a reaction of glycerin with stearic acid, which is a fatty acid that comes from animal and vegetable fats and oils.
Glyceryl stearate SE, the self-emulsifying form of the substance, is made by reacting an excess of stearic acid with glycerin.
Glyceryl stearate is an emollient that keeps products blended together; it can also be a surfactant, emulsier, and thickener in food — often it's used as a dough conditioner and to keep things from going stale.

Glycol distearate is “the diester of ethylene glycol and stearic acid.”
Glyceryl distearate can function as an emulsier and emulsion stabilizer but tends to be primarily used as an opacier/pearlizer for surfactant products.
Glycol distearate lends a really lovely creamy, pearlescent appearance to surfactant products without thickening them or negatively impacting lather (as added fats do).

Uses:
Glyceryl distearate is used in the preparation of lipophilic peptides for gene delivery. 
It is also a derivative of Glyceryl Distearate (G601525) which is used in the preparation of liposomes for drug delivery of topically delivered drugs.
When forced to crystalize as thin platelets glycol distearate can give liquids and gels a pearlescent appearance.

This is often used by the producers of personal care products (e.g. shower gel) to increase the visual appeal of their products. 
It may also act as a skin moisturizer.
Glycol distearate is also commonly used as an embedding agent in microscopy.

Glyceryl distearate is a water-loving ingredient whereas stearic acid is a fat-loving ingredient. 
The group in which it belongs-glyceryl diesters are based on a similar principle. 
The presence of both groups in one molecule can make it an ideal candidate as an emulsifier. 

Emulsifier blends water and oil in such a manner that the resultant emulsion looks uniform and stable. 
Glyceryl distearate also increases the thickness of a product.
Glyceryl distearate is widely used in skincare products such as moisturizers, creams, and lotions, where it acts as an emulsifier that allows oil and water to mix together into a smooth, uniform emulsion, which improves the product’s stability, consistency, and effectiveness over time.

Glyceryl distearate is also used as a thickening agent in both skincare and haircare products, helping to create a creamy or rich texture that feels luxurious on the skin or hair, which not only improves the product’s spreadability but also enhances the overall user experience during application.
In addition to its role in stabilizing formulas, glyceryl distearate functions as a mild skin-conditioning agent that forms a lightweight, breathable layer on the surface of the skin, which helps to reduce water loss and leaves the skin feeling soft, smooth, and hydrated without a greasy residue.

In haircare formulations such as shampoos, conditioners, and hair masks, glyceryl distearate helps to smooth the hair cuticle, reduce frizz, and improve manageability by coating the hair strands with a thin film that locks in moisture and protects them from environmental damage.
It is often used in combination with other ingredients to create a pearlescent or shimmering effect in products like shampoos, body washes, and liquid soaps, adding visual appeal and giving the product a luxurious, creamy appearance that enhances consumer perception.

In natural or sensitive-skin formulations that avoid harsh chemical emulsifiers, glyceryl distearate serves as a gentle alternative that can stabilize oil-water mixtures without causing irritation, making it ideal for baby products, sensitive skin care lines, and fragrance-free formulas.
This ingredient improves the sensory characteristics of creams and serums by making them glide more easily across the skin, allowing other active ingredients to spread evenly and absorb more effectively, which contributes to better overall product performance.
Glyceryl distearate is sometimes included in pharmaceutical or medicated creams and ointments, where it helps to deliver active medicinal ingredients evenly while providing a protective and moisturizing base that supports skin healing and barrier repair.

In some cosmetic applications, such as pressed powders, foundations, or cream-based color cosmetics, glyceryl distearate may be used to help bind ingredients together and maintain a consistent, smooth texture that adheres well to the skin.
Because it is derived from natural sources like vegetable oils and is biodegradable, glyceryl distearate is also used in eco-friendly personal care products that aim to reduce environmental impact while still offering high performance and product stability.
In sunscreen formulations, glyceryl distearate helps to improve the spreadability of thick sun-blocking agents like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, ensuring even coverage on the skin without leaving a heavy or chalky residue, while also contributing to a smooth, pleasant texture that enhances user compliance and comfort.

Because it is derived from natural sources such as palm or vegetable oils, glyceryl distearate is commonly used in natural, organic, or "clean beauty" formulations as a safer, plant-based emulsifier that can replace synthetic or petroleum-derived ingredients while maintaining the product’s texture and stability over time.
In anti-aging products, it not only helps deliver key actives like retinol or peptides but also supports the skin’s natural barrier function by forming a lightweight film that helps to retain moisture, which in turn can reduce the appearance of fine lines, roughness, and dryness associated with aging skin.
In lighter formulations like facial serums and hydrating gels, glyceryl distearate is used to help distribute water-soluble and oil-soluble active ingredients evenly across the skin, allowing them to be absorbed more efficiently while preventing phase separation or uneven consistency in the product.

Safety Profile:
Although glyceryl distearate is widely regarded as a safe, non-toxic, and non-irritating ingredient when used in cosmetic and personal care products, some individuals with extremely sensitive skin or pre-existing skin conditions may experience mild irritation, such as redness, itching, or a stinging sensation, particularly if the product also contains other harsh or reactive ingredients.
While allergies to glyceryl distearate itself are uncommon, people who are sensitive to fatty acid esters or similar emulsifying compounds may develop allergic contact dermatitis, which can present as swelling, redness, or itchiness at the site of application, and should discontinue use if such symptoms occur.
Glyceryl distearate is designed strictly for external use in cosmetics and topical formulations, and it should never be ingested or used internally, as doing so could lead to gastrointestinal discomfort or complications due to the presence of synthetic or non-food-grade components used in its manufacture.