CAS number 25168-73-4
INCI name Sucrose Stearate
Sucrose Stearate is a cosmetic emulsifier and stabilizer, created by esterifying sucrose with stearic acid from vegetable sources. It blends oil and water, enhancing the texture and stability of creams, lotions, and emulsions. With excellent emollient properties, it provides a smooth, luxurious skin feel. It appears as a white to off-white waxy solid, with the chemical formula C30H56O12.
Purpose
Sucrose Stearate functions as an emulsifying, emulsion-stabilizing, and surfactant agent in cosmetic formulations. It helps blend oil and water phases, ensuring a stable and uniform texture in creams, lotions, and other emulsions. Its mild, skin-friendly nature makes it ideal for skincare products, providing a smooth and luxurious feel while enhancing the overall performance of formulations.
Origin
Sucrose Stearate is produced through the esterification of sucrose (table sugar) with stearic acid, sourced from vegetable oils such as palm or coconut oil.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Name | Sucrose Stearate |
| Type | Non-ionic emulsifier |
| Source | Derived from sugar (sucrose) and stearic acid (from vegetable oils) |
| PH | 5-7 |
| Boiling point | 763.2±60.0°C |
| Concentration | 1-5% |
| Color | White to off-white |
| Odor | Mild or odorless |
| Solubility | Dispersible in water, soluble in oils and alcohols |
| Physical state | Powder or flakes |
Mild & Skin-Friendly
Sucrose Stearate is non-irritating and gentle, making it ideal for sensitive skin, baby care, and hypoallergenic formulations. It enhances skin comfort while reducing the risk of irritation.
Biodegradable & Eco-Friendly
Being naturally derived from plant-based sources like sugar and vegetable oils, it is fully biodegradable and environmentally friendly, making it a sustainable alternative to synthetic emulsifiers.
Multifunctional Emulsifier & Surfactant
Acts as a primary emulsifier, stabilizer, and mild surfactant, ensuring oil and water phases remain blended while also contributing to cleansing and conditioning benefits.
Lightweight & Non-Greasy Feel
It provides a silky, smooth texture without leaving a heavy or greasy residue, making it suitable for lightweight skincare formulations like serums and lotions.
Moisturizing & Emollient Properties
Offers hydration and enhances the skin’s barrier function, preventing moisture loss and promoting soft, supple skin. It is particularly beneficial for dry and dehydrated skin types.
Enhances Product Spreadability & Absorption
Improves the sensory feel of formulations by making them spread evenly and absorb quickly, enhancing user experience.
Vegetable-Derived & Non-Irritating
Free from synthetic chemicals, parabens, sulfates, and petrochemicals, making it a safer choice for natural and organic skincare products.
Versatile Usage in Formulations
Suitable for a wide range of products, including creams, lotions, serums, sunscreens, baby care, hair conditioners, and cleansers, due to its stabilizing and conditioning properties.
Improves Product Shelf Life & Stability
Helps maintain the integrity of emulsions over time, preventing ingredient separation and extending the overall shelf life of cosmetic formulations.
Compatible with Other Natural Emulsifiers
Can be used alongside other emulsifiers like sucrose laurate or glyceryl stearate to create stable and effective emulsions tailored to specific skin needs.
Heat Sensitivity & Processing Advantages
Can be used in both hot and cold emulsification processes, but for optimal performance, it is often added in the cool-down phase to preserve its emulsifying properties.
Applications of Sucrose Stearate
Skincare Products
Used in creams, lotions, serums, and moisturizers to improve texture, stability, and hydration while providing a smooth, non-greasy feel.
Cleansers & Facial Washes
Acts as a mild surfactant in facial cleansers, micellar waters, and cleansing milks, offering gentle cleansing without stripping moisture.
Sun Care Products
Enhances the spreadability and stability of sunscreens, ensuring even distribution of UV filters while maintaining a lightweight feel.
Baby Care Formulations
Ideal for baby lotions, creams, and gentle cleansers due to its mild and non-irritating properties.
Makeup & Color Cosmetics
Used in foundations, BB creams, and liquid makeup formulations to improve emulsion stability and enhance application smoothness.
Hair Care Products
Incorporated in conditioners, leave-in treatments, and hair masks to provide emolliency, improve detangling, and enhance shine.
Body Care Products
Found in body butters, hand creams, and body lotions, helping to maintain a stable and luxurious texture.
Pharmaceutical & Dermatological Formulations
Used in medicated creams and ointments as an emulsifier and stabilizer for active ingredients.
Natural & Organic Cosmetic Products
A preferred choice in eco-friendly and organic formulations due to its plant-derived and biodegradable nature.