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Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate is made from a diester (a compound containing two ester groups; an ester is a compound formed from reacting organic acids and an alcohol or polyol) of the fatty acid stearic acid combined with a polymer of glycerin.
Polyglyceryl-6 Distearates versatility extends to various product types, including baby care items, where its gentle and non-irritating nature makes it a safe choice for delicate skin, as well as in anti-aging and treatment products where it helps deliver active ingredients effectively while maintaining a luxurious, non-greasy feel.
Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate is a gentle, synthetic emollient, emulsifier, and cleansing agent which gives it a wide range of use in cosmetics, including baby care products.
CAS Number: 34424-97-0
Molecular Formula: C54H106O15
Molecular Weight: 995.416
EINECS Number: 252-010-1
Synonyms: Polyglyceryl-6 distearate, Octadecanoic acid, diester with triglycerol, CAPROL 6G2S, PLUROL STEARIQUE WL 1009, POLYALDO HGDS (6-2-S), TRIGLYCERIN DISTEARATE, TRIGLYCEROL DISTEARATE, TRIGLYCERYL DISTEARATE, Z35I17EQOPdistearic acid, diester with hexaglycerol;POLYGLYCERYL-6 DISTEARATE;Hexaglycerol distearate;Octadecanoic acid, diester with hexaglycerol;Polyaldo(R) HGDS KFG (6-2-S);Polyaldo(R) HGDS, Kosher FG;Polyaldo HGDS;Hexaglycerin distearate
Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate may be animal-derived, but most suppliers create this synthetically, which is the type Paula’s Choice Skincare uses.
Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate is an oil-in-water emulsifier that offers an excellent tolerance profile, a vegetable origin (food grade), and a pleasant skin feel with a mat and powdery finish.
It naturally comes forth as a strong contender in our study.
Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate is a type of emulsifier that is widely used in the cosmetic industry.
Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate is made with polyglycerol and stearic acid.
Its advantage is its neutrality, that is, its ability to combine aqueous and fatty components into a homogeneous mixture without the use of strong chemicals.
As it is non-aggressive and compatible with many other ingredients, it finds application in a range of skin and hair care products.
Products in which Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate is found include skin and body creams, shampoos, conditioners, sunscreens, make-up and other cosmetic products.
Polyglyceryl-6 Distearates main function is to stabilize the product and promote its consistency.
Its presence in a cosmetic product ensures that the individual ingredients do not separate, thus increasing its durability.
Although this emulsifier has a slight moisturising effect, its main function is to ensure the homogeneity and stabilisation of products.
Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate is considered a safe ingredient in cosmetic products and does not cause skin irritation.
Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate is also suitable for sensitive skin or for cosmetics for children.
Emulsifiers are often used in cosmetics as excipients.
They allow actually unmixable components like oil and water to be brought in a permanently stable emulsion.
In this way both aqueous and oily care and active ingredients can be used in one and the same product in cosmetics.
Emulsifiers are able to do that since their molecules consist of a lipophilic and a hydrophilic part.
In this way they can reduce the interfacial tension which actually exists between two incompatible substances like fat and water.
Emulsifiers are, more particularly, used for creams, lotions and cleansing agents.
At present emulsifiers are, however, more than only excipients which keep an emulsion stable.
Fatty acid esters on the basis of sugar, lecithin or glycerin monodistearate contribute, for instance, to improving the moisture balance of the skin and are, therefore, also considered as cosmetic active ingredients.
Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate is a multifunctional ingredient widely used in the cosmetics and personal care industry, derived from natural sources such as plant-based glycerin and fatty acids like stearic acid, which is a saturated fatty acid typically found in vegetable oils and animal fats.
Its primary function as an emulsifier helps to stabilize and improve the consistency of formulations by allowing water and oil to mix seamlessly, creating smooth, uniform textures in products like lotions, creams, and other emulsions.
Additionally, Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate is valued for its mildness, making it suitable for formulations intended for sensitive skin, as it helps to reduce the potential for irritation and enhances the overall sensory experience of the product.
Beyond its emulsifying properties, it can also act as a conditioning agent, contributing to a softer, more hydrated feel on the skin or hair, which is why it is often found in moisturizing creams, sunscreens, makeup products, and hair care items such as conditioners and leave-in treatments.
Its plant-based origin aligns with the growing consumer demand for natural and sustainable cosmetic ingredients, making it a preferred choice in eco-friendly and organic product lines.
Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate is a plant-derived emulsifying agent that combines polyglycerin, a polymerized form of glycerin with six units, and distearate, which consists of two stearic acid molecules, enabling it to effectively blend water and oil components in various cosmetic and personal care products, while providing a gentle, skin-friendly formulation suitable for sensitive skin, and is commonly used in moisturizers, sunscreens, and hair conditioners to enhance texture, stability, and overall product performance.
Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate is not limited to green products and sensitive skin products, its broad functionality also benefits oily skin care lines, eye contour formulations, after-shave products, after-sun lines, etc.
Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate is a 100% natural, PEG-free ingredient with an HLB value of 9 adapted for green-line products.
Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate is also often referred to as Hexaglycerol Distearate.
This ingredient is particularly effective in reducing the greasy feel that can sometimes be associated with oil-based products, offering a lighter, more pleasant application experience without compromising the moisturizing benefits.
In addition to its functional benefits, Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate is biodegradable and environmentally friendly, aligning with the industry's shift towards more sustainable practices and ingredients that have a reduced environmental impact.
Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate, known for its dual hydrophilic and lipophilic nature, plays a crucial role in the formulation of both oil-in-water and water-in-oil emulsions, ensuring that the final product maintains its stability, texture, and appearance over time, even under varying storage conditions.
Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate also contributes to the product’s spreadability, allowing for a smoother and more even distribution on the skin or hair, which enhances user satisfaction and improves the performance of the active ingredients in the formulation.
Uses:
Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate also functions as a stabilizer, helping to maintain the product's appearance and effectiveness over time by preventing the separation of active ingredients, making it suitable for products such as hair conditioners, anti-aging treatments, and leave-in hair care formulations.
The ingredient acts as a mild surfactant, providing gentle cleansing properties that are perfect for sensitive skin, which is why it is frequently found in baby care products, facial cleansers, and other formulations targeted at delicate or reactive skin.
Its natural and sustainable origin makes Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate a popular choice for eco-conscious consumers, as it is biodegradable and plant-derived, often being incorporated into organic or natural beauty product lines.
Lastly, by improving the spreadability of products, it ensures that they are easily applied and evenly distributed across the skin or hair, enhancing user experience in items like sunscreens, serums, and hair treatments.
Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate is a highly effective emulsifier used in a wide variety of personal care formulations, where its ability to blend water and oil phases ensures that the final product is stable, homogeneous, and smooth.
By forming stable emulsions, it prevents the ingredients from separating, thereby enhancing the overall effectiveness of the product, and is especially critical in products like moisturizers, sunscreens, and hydrating lotions that require a consistent texture and formulation. Furthermore, this ingredient plays a vital role as a skin conditioning agent, where its mild, non-irritating properties help to maintain the skin's moisture balance, leaving it feeling soft, smooth, and moisturized without any greasy residue, making it ideal for use in facial creams, body lotions, and other skincare products designed for sensitive or dry skin.
Additionally, Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate is often used as a texture enhancer in cosmetics and personal care products, where it imparts a luxurious, creamy texture that improves the application experience, allowing products such as foundation, concealers, and tinted moisturizers to glide on smoothly, providing even and flawless coverage.
Beyond its role as an emulsifier, Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate also functions as a stabilizing agent that helps to prolong the shelf life of products by maintaining their consistency and ensuring that they remain effective throughout their lifespan, which is particularly valuable in complex formulations such as anti-aging serums, sunscreens, and hair care treatments.
Its gentle, non-foaming properties also make it an effective mild surfactant, offering a delicate cleansing effect without stripping the skin’s natural oils, which is why it is commonly included in baby care products, facial cleansers, and products for sensitive skin.
Because of its plant-derived, biodegradable nature, Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate is increasingly favored in formulations aimed at environmentally conscious consumers, fitting seamlessly into organic, natural, or eco-friendly product lines.
Furthermore, it improves the spreadability of the product, ensuring even application and better distribution on the skin or hair, which is particularly beneficial in products like sunscreens, serums, and hair conditioners, where uniform coverage is key to performance.
Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate is used as an auxiliary emulsifying agent in cake mixes, as a whipping agent in whipped creams (provides foam stabilization in acidic formulations), as a freeze thaw stabilizer in frozen desserts and as an anti-sticking agent in che
Used in a lot of creams from heavy to light sprayable ‘milks’ and serums to help moisturize the skin and stabilize the creams by keeping the oil and water components together.
Has the ability to create a comfortable film on the skin after use, which can protect the skin against harsh cold weather by maintaining the moisture levels in the skin.
Or in humid/hot conditions it keeps the skin from getting too greasy or oily allowing the skin to feel lightweight.
Used at 5% in a formula in conjunction with 2% Cetyl alcohol and 0.5% Glyceryl Stearate as texture and thickening agents respectively, the sensorial characteristics are very similar to those described in the brief.
Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate is also very convenient for cost-efficient formulations.
Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate is primarily used as an emulsifying agent in a wide range of cosmetic and personal care products, where it helps blend oil and water-based ingredients to form stable, smooth, and uniform emulsions, ensuring that the final product maintains its consistency and does not separate over time, making it ideal for formulations like lotions, creams, and sunscreens.
As a skin conditioning agent, it enhances the sensory experience by leaving the skin feeling soft, hydrated, and non-greasy, making it an essential component in moisturizers, facial creams, and body lotions designed to nourish and maintain skin hydration without clogging pores.
Additionally, Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate serves as a texture enhancer, contributing to a silky, luxurious feel that improves the overall application of products, and is particularly useful in makeup formulations like foundations, primers, and tinted moisturizers, where a smooth, even coverage is desired.
Safety Profile:
Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate is considered mild, overuse or contact with broken skin might cause irritation in some individuals, especially those with pre-existing skin conditions like eczema or dermatitis.
As with any ingredient, the quality of the final product can vary depending on manufacturing processes.
If products containing Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate are not properly formulated or stored, there may be a risk of contamination, leading to bacterial growth or product degradation.
Always use products from reputable brands and store them according to the manufacturer's instructions to avoid any contamination or degradation.
While rare, some individuals with sensitive skin may experience allergic reactions such as redness, irritation, or itching, particularly if they are allergic to glycerin or stearic acid, the components of Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate.
Always perform a patch test before using a product containing this ingredient, especially for people with sensitive or allergy-prone skin.
