About this material
Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate is a Nonionic emulsifier supplied by MakeYourSkin as a liquid for professional cosmetic formulation. Used worldwide across mainstream cosmetic formulation, it is valued for solubilisation, w/o support.
What is Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate?
Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate is supplied under the INCI / technical name Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate and carries CAS number 51033-38-6.
It belongs to the Nonionic emulsifier group and is derived from glycerin and lauric acid. The material reaches you as a liquid. It is an established cosmetic raw material with mature supply and well-understood formulation behaviour.
Key Properties & Benefits
- Solubilisation
- W/O support
- Reduces interfacial tension and stabilises the oil-water interface across the intended pH range.
Uses & Applications
Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate is used in creams, lotions, gel-creams, sun care, hair conditioners and cleansing milks.
Typical applications from the catalogue record: Cleansing oils, micellar systems.
As a formulation essential it is specified by function rather than by claim, and the level is set by the performance the formula needs rather than by a marketing target.
Handling note: Supplied ready to dose; check the active content on the technical data sheet, because liquid grades are usually dilutions.
How to Use — Recommended Use Level
| Typical use level | 2–8% (typically 20–25% of the oil phase) |
|---|---|
| Recommended pH | any |
| Addition phase | Oil phase, 70–75 °C |
| Solubility | Amphiphilic / self-dispersing. Functions at the oil-water interface; add to whichever phase the supplier TDS specifies. |
General rule: always begin at the lower end of the range, confirm the level against the supplier technical data sheet, and validate stability, pH, colour, odour and preservative efficacy on the finished formulation before scaling up.
Technical Specification
| INCI / Technical Name | Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate |
|---|---|
| CAS Number | 51033-38-6 |
| Ingredient Family | Nonionic emulsifier |
| Primary Cosmetic Functions | Solubilisation; W/O support |
| Typical Applications | Cleansing oils, micellar systems |
| Source / Feedstock | Glycerin and lauric acid |
| Origin / Tradition | Global |
| Typical Bulk Form | Liquid |
| Appearance | Clear to amber liquid depending on grade |
| Solubility | Amphiphilic |
| Market Status | Established |
| Catalogue Range | Extended Range |
| Storage | Store in a tightly closed container at 15–25 °C, away from direct sunlight. Protect from freezing and from prolonged heat. |
| Shelf Life | 24–36 months from manufacture in unopened original packaging; see the Certificate of Analysis |
| Vendor | MakeYourSkin |
| MYS Catalogue Code | MYS-N00154 |
Technical Notes
Often paired with polyglyceryl-10 laurate for balanced solubilisation.
Regulatory Note
Sold as a cosmetic raw material for professional formulation. A published INCI name does not by itself authorise use: the buyer is responsible for confirming permitted status, maximum concentration, restrictions by product type, labelling and claim rules in every market the finished product is sold in. In India, cosmetics fall under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940 and the Cosmetics Rules 2020 administered by CDSCO, with BIS standards (including IS 4707 Part 2) listing restricted substances. The EU applies Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 and its Annexes; the United States applies the FD&C Act as amended by MoCRA; Korea, Japan and China operate their own positive lists and functional-cosmetic frameworks. Every finished product needs its own safety assessment.
Reference: Regulatory / scientific reference
Documentation Supplied
- Certificate of Analysis (CoA) for the batch supplied
- Safety Data Sheet (SDS / MSDS) in the current GHS format
- Technical Data Sheet (TDS) with specification, solubility and handling guidance
- INCI declaration and, where assigned, CAS / EINECS numbers
- Non-GMO statement on request
- Vegan / animal-origin declaration on request
- Halal and Kosher certification on request where the supplier holds it
- Heavy-metal and microbiological test data on request
Available Pack Sizes
Supplied in 50 g, 225 g, 1 Kg and 5 Kg packs. Bulk quantities above 5 Kg, and drum or sack quantities, are available on request — contact the MakeYourSkin sales desk for a quotation and lead time.
| 50 g | Pilot batches and small production runs |
|---|---|
| 225 g | Pilot batches and indie production runs |
| 1 Kg | Regular production for small and mid-size brands |
| 5 Kg | Scaled production and contract manufacturing |
Disclaimer & Caution in Use
For external cosmetic use in professionally formulated products only. This is a concentrated raw material, not a finished cosmetic, and it is not intended for undiluted application to skin, for ingestion, or for any medicinal purpose. Wear gloves and eye protection when handling, avoid raising dust with powders, and keep out of reach of children and pets. Always run a patch test on the finished formulation, and validate stability, compatibility, pH and preservative efficacy before sale. Information supplied is offered in good faith as formulation guidance and does not constitute a safety assessment, a regulatory approval or a medical claim.
Specification
| INCI NAME | Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate |
|---|---|
| CAS NUMBER | 51033-38-6 |
| FAMILY | Nonionic emulsifier |
| ORIGIN | Global — Glycerin and lauric acid |
| SUPPLY FORM | Liquid |
| SOLUBILITY | Amphiphilic — Amphiphilic / self-dispersing. Functions at the oil-water interface; add to whichever phase the supplier TDS specifies. |
| TYPICAL USE LEVEL | 2–8% (typically 20–25% of the oil phase) |
| pH RANGE | any |
| ADD AT | Oil phase, 70–75 °C |
| FUNCTIONS | Solubilisation; W/O support |
| USED IN | Cleansing oils, micellar systems |
| STORAGE | Store in a tightly closed container at 15–25 °C, away from direct sunlight. Protect from freezing and from prolonged heat. |
| PACK SIZES | 50 g to 5 Kg |
| LEAD TIME | 7–10 days |
| REGULATORY | Standard cosmetic review |
How to work with it
The specification's Add at row is the one to read first. Water-phase materials added to a hot oil phase are the most common reason a batch separates.
Measure the finished product, not the premix. Outside the range the activity drops away and, for some materials, the degradation route is what causes complaints.
Then work up through stability and compatibility testing. Higher is not better, and the destination market's limit may sit below your formulation ceiling.