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SUCROSE POLYSTEARATE

Last update on Sep 12, 2025

Sucrose Polystearate is a potent surfactant and emulsifier used in beauty formulations to help mix oil and water-based ingredients together and stabilize them. It is responsible for the smooth and uniform texture found in products like creams, lotions, and conditioners. Additionally, being sugar-based, this ingredient acts as an emollient and is highly compatible with the human skin - allowing it to penetrate deeper and provide better conditioning. Sucrose Polystearate is considered an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic emulsifiers due to its plant origins. It is also safe at typical concentrations for all skin types, including sensitive skin.

CAS Number: Chem/IUPAC Name: .alpha.-d-Glucopyranoside,.beta.-d-fructofuranosyl, esters with octadecanoic acidEINECS/ELINCS No: COSING REF No: 80467

Products with SUCROSE POLYSTEARATE

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Eow- Vegetable Emulsifier Oil In Water

by DKSH

INCI: SUCROSE POLYSTEARATE | CETEARYL ALCOHOL | OLEA EUROPAEA OIL UNSAPONIFIABLES

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Original documents

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Sisterna® SP 01C

by Sisterna

INCI: SUCROSE POLYSTEARATE

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Sisterna® SP 10-C

by Sisterna

INCI: SUCROSE POLYSTEARATE

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What is SUCROSE POLYSTEARATE used for?

Sucrose Polystearate is a multi-purpose ingredient quite popular in the world of cosmetics. Its benefits for the skin and hair, as well as for the formulations, make it valuable.

In skin care: Sucrose Polystearate mixes and stabilizes oil-water formulations such as creams, lotions, serums, and sunscreens. It ensures that products remain smooth and homogenous over time. Moreover, it provides a mild moisturizing effect - leaving the skin soft and silky without any greasiness. Sucrose Polystearate is gentle enough to be used in daily-wear skin care products.

In hair care: Sucrose Polystearate is used in hair conditioners and masks to infuse oil-rich ingredients for an overall nourishing product. It aids the even spreading of hair care formulations on the strands due to its mild surfactant action. Sucrose Polystearate is a great ingredient for providing the hair strands with a soft, natural feel.

Origin

Sucrose Polystearate is a sugar-based ingredient made by esterifying sucrose (from sugar cane or sugar beet) with stearic acid (from vegetable oils). The final ingredient is washed and filtered to remove residual fatty acids and impurities. As a raw ingredient, Sucrose Polystearate appears as a white to off-white powder or flakes. It is soluble in oil and can disperse in hot water.

What does SUCROSE POLYSTEARATE do in a formulation?

EMOLLIENT|

EMULSIFYING|

SKIN CONDITIONING|

SURFACTANT|

MOISTURISING|

HAIR CONDITIONING

Safety Profile

Sucrose Polystearate is a mild and non-irritating ingredient - considered safe for the skin and hair at recommended concentrations. Having plant origins, it does not have the risk of allergies associated with synthetic ingredients. Even though it is well-tolerated by all skin types, patch tests are recommended prior to full application for added safety. Additionally, Sucrose Polystearate is biodegradable and eco-friendly. It is often a good pick for clean, vegan, and halal beauty products.