Glyceryl Stearate
Emulsifier · INCI: Glyceryl Stearate
Reviewed by Elysiana Aguilar, master esthetician
How we read it
Not a pore-clogger. Considered safe for acne-prone skin.
Is Glyceryl Stearate comedogenic?
No. Glyceryl Stearate isn't considered pore-clogging, and we read it as safe to use on acne-prone skin. That doesn't make it right for everyone, but congestion isn't the thing to watch for with it.
Why we read it this way
Glyceryl stearate is an emulsifier made by joining glycerin to stearic acid, used to stop the oil and water in a cream from separating and to leave a soft finish on skin. Formulators reach for it constantly. We read it as not pore-clogging.
The nuance
The version labeled Glyceryl Stearate SE is a separate ingredient with a little soap built in, and we read that one with caution. Stearic acid on its own also gets a more careful reading from us. Plain glyceryl stearate is neither of those.
Where it shows up
It is found in day and night creams, body lotions, sunscreens, cream cleansers and hair conditioners, where it is often paired with a second emulsifier such as PEG-100 stearate.
Related ingredients
One ingredient rarely tells the whole story. The acne ingredient checker reads everything in a product at once, and there is more on what comedogenic means. Also in the guides: What causes acne.