Ingredient decoder

Glyceryl stearate SE: is it comedogenic? What it does in skincare

INCI name: Glyceryl Stearate SE

Acne verdict Moderate clog risk

Rated a pore-clogger

  • Comedogenic3 / 5
  • Irritancy2 / 5

What it does

Self-emulsifying thickener that holds creams together.

  • Emulsifying

Glyceryl stearate SE in plain English

Glyceryl stearate SE is glyceryl stearate blended with a small amount of soap so it can emulsify on its own. This self-emulsifying form rates higher than plain glyceryl stearate on older comedogenic lists. Its rating comes from old rabbit-ear tests of the raw ingredient, which can overstate what happens with a finished product on human skin.

Is glyceryl stearate SE bad for acne?

It can be. Glyceryl stearate SE has a moderate clog risk rating for acne-prone skin. In Fulton's 1989 rabbit-ear test it scored 3 out of 5 for clogging pores and 2 out of 5 for irritation. That test used the raw ingredient, so a small amount in a finished product may behave differently. If you break out easily, check where it sits on the ingredient list: the higher it appears, the more of it the product usually contains.

Why it is flagged: The self-emulsifying form of glyceryl stearate. Rates higher than the plain form on older lists.

Clean routine and still breaking out? The cause may be internal. See what is driving it

Also called

  • Glyceryl Stearate SE
  • Glyceryl monostearate se
  • Self-emulsifying glyceryl stearate

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Frequently asked questions

Is glyceryl stearate SE comedogenic?

Glyceryl stearate SE scored 3 out of 5 for comedogenicity in Fulton's 1989 rabbit-ear study, where 0 means no clogging and 5 means severe. That is a moderate rating. The test used the raw ingredient, so a finished product may behave differently.

What does glyceryl stearate SE do in skincare?

In short: self-emulsifying thickener that holds creams together. In formulas it is used for emulsifying.

What else is glyceryl stearate SE called on ingredient labels?

On ingredient lists, glyceryl stearate SE can also appear as Glyceryl monostearate se or Self-emulsifying glyceryl stearate.

Sources