Glyceryl Stearate

GLIS-er-il STEER-ate

Emollient, Emulsifier 9/10 Safety CG ApprovedClean Semi-synthetic Vegan

What Is Glyceryl Stearate?

An emulsifier and emollient made from glycerin and stearic acid. It creates creamy textures in hair products and provides mild conditioning to the hair.

Source: Glycerin and stearic acid (from plant or animal fats)

Origin: Semi-synthetic

Also known as: Glycerin Monostearate, GMS

What Does Glyceryl Stearate Do to Your Hair?

Stabilizes emulsions by binding oil and water phases together in creams and conditioners. Also acts as a mild emollient that softens hair and improves product spreadability.

Best For

All hair types, dry hair, normal hair

Not Recommended For

None known

Concentration Matters

1-5% in products

Hair Type Compatibility

1A Straight Fine
1B Straight Medium
1C Straight Coarse
2A Wavy Fine
2B Wavy Medium
2C Wavy Coarse
3A Curly Loose
3B Curly Tight
3C Curly Corkscrew
4A Coily S-Shaped
4B Coily Z-Shaped
4C Coily Tight

Method Compatibility

Curly Girl (CG) Method: Approved
CG Approved

Safety & Regulation

9/10
AvoidCautionSafe

Extremely safe with a long history of use in food and cosmetics. Non-toxic, non-irritating, and biodegradable. One of the most well-tolerated emulsifiers available.

FDA Status: Generally Recognized As Safe

FDA classifies as GRAS. Approved for food and cosmetic use.

EWG Score: 1/10

HairAide Verdict

A completely safe and effective emulsifier. If you see this on an ingredient list, it is simply keeping the product creamy and stable. Zero concerns.

Products That Contain Glyceryl Stearate

Conditioners, hair creams, styling lotions, leave-in treatments

Alternatives to Glyceryl Stearate

If you want to avoid Glyceryl Stearate, look for products with these ingredients instead:

Cetearyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Oleate, Ceteareth-20

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Glyceryl Stearate safe for hair?

Yes, Glyceryl Stearate has a safety rating of 9/10 and is generally considered safe for use in hair products. Extremely safe with a long history of use in food and cosmetics. Non-toxic, non-irritating, and biodegradable. One of the most well-tolerated emulsifiers available.

Is Glyceryl Stearate bad for curly hair?

Glyceryl Stearate is CG-method approved and is generally considered safe for curly hair.

Is Glyceryl Stearate CG-method approved?

Yes, Glyceryl Stearate is approved for the Curly Girl method.

What can I use instead of Glyceryl Stearate?

Some alternatives to Glyceryl Stearate include: Cetearyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Oleate, Ceteareth-20

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