GMS (Glycerol Mono Stearate), commonly known in cosmetic formulations as Glyceryl Stearate, is a versatile fatty-acid ester widely used in cosmetics and personal-care products.
GMS is valued for its ability to provide emolliency, texture, consistency, emulsification support and formulation stability. It can help create creams and lotions with a smooth, rich and elegant skin feel while contributing to the overall structure of an emulsion.
It is suitable for a broad range of formulations including face creams, body lotions, moisturizers, sunscreens, hair conditioners, creams, emulsions, cleansing products and other personal-care formulations.
GMS is available in different commercial grades, and the exact monoester content, acid value, melting point and other specifications can vary by supplier. For commercial formulation, always verify the specific grade through the supplier’s TDS, COA and SDS.
INCI Name
Glyceryl Stearate
Common Names
- GMS
- Glycerol Mono Stearate
- Glyceryl Monostearate
- Glyceryl Stearate
- Glycerol Monostearate
- Mono Stearate
- Glyceryl Stearate SE*
Chemical Information
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Product Name | GMS (Glycerol Mono Stearate) |
| INCI Name | Glyceryl Stearate |
| Chemical Name | Glyceryl Monostearate |
| CAS Number | 31566-31-1* |
| Molecular Formula | C₂₁H₄₂O₄ |
| Molecular Weight | Approx. 358.56 g/mol |
| Ingredient Type | Cosmetic Functional Ingredient |
| Functional Class | Emollient / Emulsifier / Consistency Agent |
| Physical Form | White to off-white waxy solid/flakes/pastilles |
| Water Solubility | Insoluble or practically insoluble in water |
| Oil Compatibility | Dispersible/soluble in suitable oils depending on grade and temperature |
| Main Applications | Skin Care, Hair Care & Personal Care |
What is GMS?
Glycerol Mono Stearate (GMS) is an ester of glycerol and stearic acid. It is an important multifunctional ingredient used in cosmetic emulsions and structured formulations.
In personal-care products, GMS helps provide body, consistency, emollience and a smooth sensory profile. Depending on the grade, it can also provide emulsification support and help stabilize oil-in-water formulations.
GMS is particularly useful when formulators want to develop creams and lotions with a rich, smooth and luxurious texture.
Key Benefits & Functions
1. Emulsification Support
GMS can help support the formation and stability of cosmetic emulsions containing oil and water phases.
2. Emollient
It provides a smooth, soft and conditioned skin feel and contributes to the emollient character of creams and lotions.
3. Consistency Builder
GMS can increase the body and consistency of cosmetic formulations, helping create richer cream textures.
4. Texture Enhancement
It contributes to the sensory profile and can help produce smooth, creamy and elegant formulations.
5. Emulsion Stabilization
In appropriately designed systems, GMS can support emulsion stability and improve the structure of creams and lotions.
6. Skin Conditioning
It can contribute to a softer and smoother skin feel in finished personal-care products.
7. Rich Creamy Feel
GMS is particularly useful for developing rich creams, body butters, moisturizers and conditioning formulations.
Cosmetic Applications
Skin Care
- Face Creams
- Moisturizing Creams
- Day Creams
- Night Creams
- Body Creams
- Body Lotions
- Hand Creams
- Foot Creams
- Body Butters
- Cold Creams
- Massage Creams
- Facial Moisturizers
Hair Care
- Hair Conditioners
- Hair Creams
- Hair Masks
- Hair Butters
- Conditioning Treatments
- Styling Creams
- Hair Moisturizers
Sun Care
- Sunscreen Creams
- Sun Care Lotions
- After-Sun Creams
- After-Sun Lotions
Cleansing & Personal Care
- Cleansing Creams
- Body Cream Cleansers
- Shaving Creams
- Personal-Care Emulsions
- Baby-Care Creams
- Massage Products
Suitable Product Types
- Face Cream
- Moisturizer
- Body Lotion
- Body Cream
- Body Butter
- Hand Cream
- Foot Cream
- Night Cream
- Day Cream
- Sunscreen Cream
- After-Sun Lotion
- Hair Conditioner
- Hair Mask
- Hair Cream
- Shaving Cream
- Cleansing Cream
- Massage Cream
- Personal-Care Emulsion
Recommended Usage
A general cosmetic formulation range for GMS is approximately:
1–10%
The actual usage level depends on:
- GMS grade
- Monoester content
- Desired viscosity
- Emulsion type
- Oil phase
- Required texture
- Other emulsifiers
- Stabilizers
- Finished-product characteristics
How to Use GMS
GMS is generally incorporated into the oil phase of an emulsion.
General Formulation Procedure
- Weigh the required amount of GMS.
- Add GMS to the oil phase.
- Heat the oil phase sufficiently to melt the GMS completely.
- Prepare the aqueous phase separately.
- Bring both phases to a suitable processing temperature.
- Combine the phases under appropriate homogenization or mixing.
- Continue mixing until a uniform emulsion is formed.
- Cool the formulation under controlled mixing.
- Add heat-sensitive ingredients during the appropriate cool-down stage.
- Check final appearance, viscosity, pH and stability.
Formulation Considerations
GMS is often used together with other emulsifiers and consistency agents rather than being relied upon as the sole emulsifier in every formulation.
It can be combined with ingredients such as:
- Cetearyl Alcohol
- Cetyl Alcohol
- Stearic Acid
- Glyceryl Stearate SE
- Polysorbates
- Sorbitan Esters
- Lecithin
- Emulsifying Wax
- Fatty Alcohols
- Vegetable Oils
- Esters
- Butters
- Silicones
GMS in Cream Formulations
GMS is particularly popular in cream formulations because it can contribute to:
Body → Consistency → Emollience → Smooth Texture → Cream Stability
It can be used in both facial and body-care products where a rich, creamy sensory profile is desired.
GMS in Hair Care
GMS can also be incorporated into hair-care formulations where conditioning, texture and creaminess are desired.
Potential applications include:
- Hair conditioners
- Hair masks
- Hair creams
- Conditioning treatments
- Styling creams
- Hair butters
Product Information
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Product Name | GMS (Glycerol Mono Stearate) |
| INCI Name | Glyceryl Stearate |
| Common Name | Glyceryl Monostearate |
| Chemical Family | Fatty Acid Ester |
| Derived From | Glycerol + Stearic Acid |
| CAS No. | Grade dependent; commonly 31566-31-1 |
| Molecular Formula | C₂₁H₄₂O₄ |
| Molecular Weight | Approx. 358.56 g/mol |
| Appearance | White/off-white waxy solid |
| Functional Class | Emollient / Emulsifier / Consistency Agent |
| Typical Usage | Approx. 1–10% |
| Main Phase | Oil Phase |
| Main Applications | Skin Care, Hair Care & Personal Care |
Why Choose GMS?
- Versatile cosmetic formulation ingredient
- Excellent emollient functionality
- Provides rich and creamy texture
- Supports emulsion structure
- Helps improve formulation consistency
- Suitable for creams and lotions
- Useful in hair-conditioning products
- Suitable for skin and body care
- Compatible with many oils and cosmetic ingredients
- Ideal for rich and luxurious cosmetic textures
- Suitable for professional cosmetic manufacturing
Storage
Store GMS in a cool, dry and well-ventilated environment.
Keep the container tightly closed and protect the material from:
- Excessive heat
- Direct sunlight
- Moisture
- Dust
- Contamination
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