Is Glyceryl Stearate safe in cosmetics?
Glyceryl Stearate has a safety rating of "EXCELLENT" in our database. EU status: permitted. US status: permitted.
Glyceryl Stearate
Also known as: Octadecanoic acid, monoester with 1,2,3-propanetriol, Abracol S.L.G., Aldo HMS, Arlacel 161, Arlacel 169 (+15 more)
INCI: GLYCERYL STEARATE
Glyceryl Stearate (CAS 31566-31-1) is a cosmetic emulsifier functioning as emulsifier. EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: permitted. Industrial safety data is also available in the chemical safety database. Same-CAS public records also appear in industrial chemical safety and food safety data.
View industrial chemical safety profile for CAS 31566-31-1 →
Auto-generated CPSR Part A draft with source citations
Function
emulsifier
Safety Rating
EXCELLENT
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
permitted
US US Status
permitted
US Notes
GRAS for direct human food use (21 CFR 184.1324) with no limitation beyond GMP. Permitted indirect food additive (21 CFR 175.105, 175.300, 176.200, 176.210). Permitted inactive excipient in OTC and Rx drug formulations. EPA Safer Chemical program Green Circle designation (low concern).
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Glyceryl Stearate.
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
Dermal Penetration Profile
Skin absorption and penetration characteristics of Glyceryl Stearate, relevant to systemic exposure and MoS calculations.
Absorption %
0.5-2%
Penetration Level
surface
Penetration Depth
stratum corneum
Molecular Weight
358.6 Da
Log P
7.8
Systemic Absorption
minimal
Topical Bioavailability
0.2-1%
Safety Margin Factor
minimal
Vehicle Dependent
Yes — absorption varies by formulation
Source: CIR Expert Panel
EPA ToxValDB — Toxicity Values
1 toxicity value from EPA ToxValDB (aggregated from CCTE, HPV, ToxRefDB, IRIS, and other regulatory dossiers).
| Endpoint | Value | Species | Route | Duration | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LD50 | >5000 mg/kg | Mouse | oral | - | ECHA |
ECHA REACH Registration
European Chemicals Agency REACH dossier and Substances of Very High Concern listing.
Registration Type
Full
Tonnage Band
10,000 - 100,000 tonnes
Substance Type
SUBSTANCE
SVHC Candidate
No
Typical Use Concentrations
Reported concentration ranges per product category from SCCS/CIR/industry sources.
| Product Category | Typical Range | Max Reported | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Face Cream | 1–5 | 15 | CIR Safety Assessment |
| Body Lotion | 1–5 | 15 | CIR Safety Assessment |
Additional Ingredient Properties
10 property records from structured ingredient metadata.
baby_pediatric
{"cas_number": "31566-31-1/11099-07-3", "ingredient_class": "emulsifier_baby_safe", "pediatric_safety_rating": "excellent", "minimum_age_months": "0", "neonatal_safe": "yes", "premature_infant_safe": "yes", "skin_barrier_maturity_consideration": "Naturally-occurring, non-ionic, safe, well-tolerated", "transepidermal_absorption_risk_pediatric": "very_low", "dose_per_kg_body_weight_concern": "Minima…
comedogenicity_detail
{"comedogenicity_rating": "2", "irritancy_rating": "1", "skin_type_suitability": "dry,combination,normal", "acne_safe": "caution", "source": "Emulsifier"}
concentration
{"min_concentration_pct": "1.0", "max_concentration_pct": "8.0", "typical_concentration_pct": "4.0", "product_type": "Body Lotion", "function_at_concentration": "Emulsifier", "source": "CIR Safety Assessment"}
cost_pricing
{"cost_tier": "budget", "estimated_cost_per_kg_usd_low": "10", "estimated_cost_per_kg_usd_high": "18", "natural_premium_markup_pct": "20", "organic_certified_premium_pct": "40", "supply_chain_volatility": "low", "primary_source_region": "Global", "synthetic_vs_natural_cost_ratio": "1.6", "bulk_discount_threshold_kg": "300", "seasonal_price_variation": "low", "commodity_or_specialty": "commodity", …
deodorant
{"cas_number": "31566-31-1", "ingredient_class": "other", "mechanism_of_action": "other", "antiperspirant_efficacy_sweat_reduction_pct": "0", "deodorant_efficacy_hours": "0", "odor_reduction_pct": "0", "bacteriostatic": "no", "bactericidal": "no", "microbiome_impact": "neutral", "axillary_microbiome_effect": "varies by ingredient", "MIC_value_if_antimicrobial": "varies", "astringency_level": "vari…
dermal_absorption
{"molecular_weight_da": "358.6", "log_p_value": "7.8", "skin_penetration_level": "surface", "penetration_depth": "stratum corneum", "absorption_pct": "0.5-2", "systemic_absorption": "minimal", "penetration_enhancer": "no", "occlusion_effect": "yes", "vehicle_dependent": "yes", "skin_barrier_effect": "neutral", "bioavailability_topical_pct": "0.2-1", "safety_margin_factor": "minimal", "source": "CI…
emulsifier
{"cas_number": "31566-31-1", "ingredient_class": "W/O_emulsifier,co_emulsifier", "chemical_type": "glyceryl_ester", "HLB_value": "3.8", "HLB_required_for_oil_phase": "3-6", "emulsion_type_primary": "W/O", "droplet_size_typical_um": "5-10", "surface_tension_reduction_mN_m": "20-22", "interfacial_tension_reduction": "20-25", "foam_formation": "low", "liquid_crystal_formation": "low", "lamellar_phase…
emulsion_hlb
{"hlb_value": "3.8", "hlb_required_as_emulsifier": "yes", "emulsifier_type": "w_o", "critical_packing_parameter": "0.60-0.80", "emulsion_stabilization_mechanism": "steric_stabilization", "co_emulsifier_pairs": "cetyl_alcohol,peg_100_stearate", "optimal_oil_phase_pct": "50-80", "optimal_water_phase_pct": "20-50", "electrolyte_tolerance": "high", "pH_emulsion_stability_range": "5.0-10.0", "viscosity…
Function Categories & List Membership
Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
Anti-adhesive/cohesive
Anti-static agent
Dispersing agent
Emulsifier
Flavouring and nutrient
Fragrance
Lubricating agent
Processing aids not otherwise specified
Softener and conditioner
Stabilizing agent
Regulatory List Membership (2)
EPA Safer Chemical Ingredients List (SCIL)
FDA Substances Added to Food (EAFUS)
Expert Verdict
Expert safety assessment and concern-level summary for Glyceryl Stearate.
Regulatory Flags
cir-reviewed
gras
epa-safer-chemical
non-sensitizing
non-genotoxic
wide-use
eu_children_restricted
epa_safer_alternative
fda_food_additive
Known Synonyms
Octadecanoic acid, monoester with 1,2,3-propanetriol
Abracol S.L.G.
Aldo HMS
Arlacel 161
Arlacel 169
Armostat 801
Cefatin
Celinhol - A
Cerasynt S
Cerasynt 1000-D
Cerasynt SE
Cerasynt WM
Citomulgan M
Cyclochem GMS
Dermagine
Drewmulse V
Drewmulse TP
Drumulse AA
EINECS 250-705-4
Emcol CA
Chemical Function
Softener and conditioner
Fragrance
Emulsifier
Surfactant (surface active agent)
Anti-static agent
Stabilizing agent
Processing aids not otherwise specified
Anti-adhesive/cohesive
Regulatory Lists
food_additive; Substances Added to Food (formerly EAFUS) (2/2019)
SCIL (9/2019)
SCIL (9/2019)
Canada; pharmaceutical
inert_ingredient; Pesticides
inert_ingredient; non_food_use; Pesticides
inert_ingredient; Pesticides
Europe; plastic_additive
Australian Status
AICIS status: listed
Cross-Vertical Safety Context
Same-CAS public records found in food safety data.
SOURCE
EFSA / FDA GRAS
food_additives
Food Safety Data
Same-CAS food additive or FDA GRAS records from the core public database.
Food Name
Mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids
E Number
E471
Food Category
emulsifier
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Glyceryl Stearate allowed in the EU?
Glyceryl Stearate EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Glyceryl Stearate do in cosmetics?
Glyceryl Stearate functions as: emulsifier. It is classified as a Emulsifier in our database. CAS number: 31566-31-1.
Is Glyceryl Stearate used outside cosmetics?
Glyceryl Stearate also appears in industrial chemical safety and food safety data. The cross-vertical cards on this page render same-CAS public rows from the matched databases.
Compliance Tools
Check Glyceryl Stearate compliance across multiple jurisdictions:
Ingredient Decoder
Paste a full ingredient list for instant analysis
82 Allergen Checker
Check for EU declarable fragrance allergens
Substance Compliance
Check compliance across multiple jurisdictions
MoS Calculator
Calculate Margin of Safety using SCCS methodology
Heavy Metal Limits
Compare limits across jurisdictions
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