Glyceryl Monostearate

• Derived from: coconut
• Pronunciation: (\ˈglis-rəl\ˈmä-(ˌ)nō-stē-ə-ˌrāt\)
• Type: Naturally-derived
• Other names: Glyceryl 1-stearate, GMS

What Is Glyceryl Monostearate?

Glyceryl monostearate (GMS) is a waxy, powdery, or flaky ingredient. [1] In the cosmetics industry, it is derived from vegetable oils though it is naturally found in the human body and fatty foods [1,2]

What Does Glyceryl Monostearate Do?

Glyceryl monostearate is often used as an emulsifier to stabilize products and prevent separation [2]. It is found in dozens of personal care products such as moisturizers, eye cream, sunscreen, makeup, and hand cream.[3,4] Glyceryl monostearate is also used as a preservative agent.[1]

How Glyceryl Monostearate Is Made

Commercially, glyceryl monostearate is produced by combining mono-, di- and triglycerides of palmitic and stearic acid.[1]

Glyceryl Monstearate Safety

The Environmental Working Group has provided glyceryl monostearate with a "1" ranking.[3] Whole Foods has deemed the ingredient acceptable in its body care quality standards as a surfactant.[5]

Sources

[1] National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences
[2] PersonalCareTruth.com
[3] Environmental Working Group
[4] CosmeticsInfo.org
[5] Whole Foods Body Care Standards