Glyceryl stearate (GMS) is one of the most commonly used ingredients in personal care formulations. But it’s a material that is not well understood by most formulators. GMS (EU) is normally used as a low-HLB thickening agent in lamellar gel (EU) network (LGN)-based oil-in-water emulsions, often combined with fatty alcohols.
LGN-based emulsions containing thickening polymers are the most common type of oil-in-water formulations sold globally. Most GMS used in personal care products should actually be called glyceryl distearate (EU), since many common grades only contain around 40% alpha monostearate (EU), 5% glyceryl tristearate (EU), and 50% glyceryl distearate.
There are also grades commercially available that contain 30%, 60%, and 90% GMS. The 90% alpha mono grades can only be produced by molecular distillation and are widely used in the food industry.
Functionally, there is a big difference in performance if you use a 90% versus 40% mono. A 90% mono has a higher melting point (69°C versus 58-63°C), lighter skin feel, and a higher HLB (EU) (~4-5, versus ~3). The higher HLB of the 90% mono enables you to form LGNs much easier with lower emulsifier levels and energy than when using cetyl (EU)/stearyl alcohol (EU). There are also self-emulsifying (SE) grades of GMS available, which are typically combined with PEG 100 stearate (EU), potassium stearate (EU), or sodium lauryl sulfate (EU).
Material Resources:
Glyceryl Stearate Suppliers (North America) | GLYCERYL STEARATE Suppliers (Europe) |
---|---|
ABITEC Corporation | Ashland Inc. |
Ashland Inc. | BASF |
BASF Care Creations | Evonik Industries AG Personal Care |
Evonik Industries AG Personal Care | HallStar Company |
HallStar Company | INOLEX |
INOLEX | Kolb |
Laboratoires Prod’Hyg | Laboratoires Prod’Hyg |
Nexeo Solutions | |
Peter Cremer | |
PMC Group | |
Spectrum Chemical Mfg. Corp. |
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Hello,
Very good article and very helpful presentation in NYSC . one clarification What is the average percentage use of GMS in suppository?
Thanks
Hetal Patel
Great article!
this is the best place to study !
Adam
May i know what is the different between Glyceryl Stearate SE and Glyceryl Stearate???
thanks.
May i know what is the different between Glyceryl Stearate SE and Glyceryl Stearate NSE? where it is used in personal care formulations? What is the HLB Value for both?
Great article. Does GMS aid in skin penetration of actives? Can it be employed as a penetration enhancer?
Regards
Np, Glyceryl mono oleate may help
Which can be more than ather between GMS and ceto alcohol in hair conditioner?
Typically mixtures of cetyl and Stearyl alcohol are used in hair conditioners.
May i know what is the different between Glyceryl Stearate SE and Glyceryl Stearate???
thanks.
Glyceryl Stearate SE is a self emusifying grade produced by neutralizing the residual free fatty acids with Potassium Hydroxide.
Can someone explain the types of glycerol monostearate AS , Gms SE and Gms NSE kindly any help me figure out too confusing plz i am struck.
I have gms AS in flakes which is costly then GMS SE in powder form which is cheaper .
Both i have but dnt know there purpose of usage kindly
what grade of GMS will be used in creams formulations
Very informative.
I normally use upto 5% in my formulation
you mean Glyceryl Oleate used instead of GMS in conditioning shampoo?? And do you think Pearlizing Agent Like Glycol Distearate is also can work as a stabilizer in 2 in 1 shampoo
Hi, Ahmed.
Glycol Distearate doesn’t provide much of a stabilizing effect. Glyceryl Oleate can help thicken shampoos/body washes and condition both skin and hair.
Thank you,
George
In cream which oneGMS(AS) or GMS (SE) use.plz help me
Hi, Dr. Gulhane:
Typically use a non self emulsifying grade of GMS and make emulsifiers adjustments as needed.
Thank you for reading!
George