What Is Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate?
Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate is a plant-derived ingredient created by combining glutamic acid, an amino acid usually sourced from fermented sugar, with stearic acid obtained from vegetable oils such as coconut or palm. The two are joined to form stearoyl glutamic acid, then neutralized with sodium salts to give the final powdery material that dissolves easily in water and oil blends.
The cosmetic world first embraced this ingredient in the early 1990s when brands were looking for milder alternatives to traditional soaps. Its gentle cleansing action and skin friendly profile quickly made it a regular in rinse-off and leave-on formulas alike.
You can spot Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate in facial cleansers, body washes, shampoos, conditioners, moisturizers, lotions, masks, makeup primers, sunscreens and even some solid bar products where it helps hold the bar together.
Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses
Here is how this multitasker improves everyday beauty products
- Cleansing: Acts as a mild surfactant that lifts away dirt oil and makeup without stripping the skin or hair of natural moisture
- Hair Conditioning: Smooths the hair cuticle making strands feel softer and easier to detangle while adding light shine
- Skin Conditioning: Forms a thin flexible film on the skin surface that helps lock in moisture leaving skin feeling silky not greasy
Who Can Use Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate
This gentle ingredient suits most skin types including dry, oily, combination and sensitive because it cleanses without stripping and leaves a light conditioning film. The only people who might need caution are those with known allergies to coconut, palm or other botanical sources of stearic acid since the raw material usually comes from these plants.
Because the stearic acid is plant derived and no animal by-products are involved, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate is generally considered vegan and vegetarian friendly. If you follow a strict lifestyle, look for brands that specifically state their stearic acid is vegetable sourced to avoid any doubt.
The ingredient has a long history of safe topical use, so products containing it are typically viewed as low risk for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. That said, this is not medical advice and anyone expecting or nursing should run new skincare or haircare products past a qualified healthcare provider just to be safe.
Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate does not increase photosensitivity so it can be used day or night without raising sun-related concerns. It also plays nicely with most other cosmetic actives and does not interfere with sunscreen protection.
Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions
Individual responses to topical ingredients can vary. The effects listed below are possible but uncommon in products that have been formulated correctly. Most people will not experience any negative reactions.
- Irritation or redness mild tingling or flushing can occur on very sensitive or compromised skin
- Allergic contact dermatitis rare itchy rash or swelling in those allergic to coconut palm derivatives or glutamate compounds
- Eye stinging temporary discomfort if a cleanser or shampoo containing the ingredient gets into the eyes
- Product build-up a filmy feel on very oily skin or fine hair if a leave-on formula is applied too generously
If you notice any of these issues stop using the product and consult a healthcare professional or dermatologist for guidance.
Comedogenic Rating
Rating: 1 out of 5. Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate is made from lightweight fatty acids and an amino acid salt that rinse away easily, leaving only a thin breathable film behind. It does not clog pores in most people and has no track record of triggering acne in well formulated products.
Suitable for acne-prone or breakout-prone skin because its low rating means minimal risk of pore blockage.
If used in very heavy leave-on formulas or layered with many other rich ingredients, the film it forms could feel a bit occlusive on extremely oily skin, but this is uncommon.
Summary
Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate works as a mild cleanser, skin conditioner and hair conditioner. Its surfactant side lifts away grime while the fatty acid side leaves a silky film that helps retain moisture and smooths strands or skin.
The ingredient shows up quite often in gentle cleansers, shampoos, solid bars and lightweight lotions, though it is not yet a household name like glycerin or hyaluronic acid. Formulators like it because it is plant based, versatile and straightforward to use.
Overall safety is high with a long history of low irritation and allergy reports. As with any new cosmetic ingredient it is smart to patch test a product before full use to make sure it suits your individual skin needs.