Propylene Glycol Stearate

What Is It?

Propylene Glycol Stearate is a mixture of esters of propylene gylcol and stearic acid. Propylene Glycol Stearate SE is a self-emulsifying grade of Propylene Glycol Stearate that contains some sodium and/or potassium stearate. In cosmetics and personal care products, Propylene Glycol Stearate is used in a wide variety of cosmetics and personal care products with the most prevalent uses in face and eye makeup.

Why Is It Used?

Propylene Glycol Stearate and Propylene Glycol Stearate SE function as surfactants. Propylene Glycol Stearate also functions as a skin conditioning agent – emollient.

Scientific Facts

Propylene Glycol Stearate is a white to cream-colored waxy solid with a slight fatty odor and taste. It is produced from stearic acid, a naturally occurring fatty acid, and is marketed in the form of beads or flakes.

Safety Information

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) includes propylene glycol mono and diesters of fats and fatty acids on its list of substances permitted to be directly added to food. The safety of Propylene Glycol Stearate, and Propylene Glycol Stearate SE, has been assessed by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel. The CIR Expert Panel evaluated the scientific data and concluded that Propylene Glycol Stearate and Propylene Glycol Stearate SE were safe as cosmetic ingredients in the present practices of use. In 2002, as part of the scheduled re-evaluation of ingredients, the CIR Expert Panel considered available new data on Propylene Glycol Stearate and Propylene Glycol Stearate SE and reaffirmed the above conclusion.

CIR Review: Propylene Glycol Stearate produced no significant dermal toxicity, skin irritation, or eye irritation in acute tests. Subchronic studies produced no toxicity after oral or dermal exposure. Propylene glycol monostearate was negative in in vitro microbial assays for mutagenicity. In clinical studies, Propylene Glycol Stearate produced no significant skin irritation at concentrations or skin sensitization. Photo-contact allergenicity tests on product formulations were negative.

FDA: Link to Code of Federal Regulations for Propylene glycol mono-and diesters of fats and fatty acids (includes Propylene Glycol Stearate) http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?fr…

When made from plants, Propylene Glycol Stearate and Propylene Glycol Sterate SE may be used in cosmetics and personal care products marketed in Europe according to the general provisions of the Cosmetics Regulation of the European Union. Ingredients of animal origin must comply with the European Union animal by-products regulations.

Link to the EU Cosmetic Regulation: 
http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/consumers/product_labelling_and_p…

The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives has established an Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) for propylene glycol esters of fatty acids of 0-20 mg/kg body weight. The ADI may be up to 20-60 mg/kg body weight if expert suppervision is available.
http://www.inchem.org/documents/jecfa/jecmono/40abcj27.htm

More Scientific Information

Propylene Glycol Stearate and Propylene Glycol Stearate SE are mixtures of the mono- and diesters of triple-pressed stearic acid and propylene glycol. They are used as surfactants. Propylene Glycol Stearate is also used as used as a skin conditioning agent – emollient.

Resources

Find out more about the regulation of Food Additives by the Food and Drug Administration

Food Ingredients and Packaging: http://www.fda.gov/Food/IngredientsPackagingLabeling/default.htm

Food Contact Substances: http://www.fda.gov/Food/IngredientsPackagingLabeling/PackagingFCS/defaul…

Substances Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS): http://www.fda.gov/Food/IngredientsPackagingLabeling/GRAS/default.htm

Search the Code of Federal Regulations http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/cfrsearch.cfm

EU Cosmetics Inventory http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/cosmetics/cosing/