What is "Glyceryl Behenate" and what is its purpose?

From a chemical perspective, glyceryl behenate is a monoester of glycerol and behenic acid. Glycerol is known for its softening, moisturising and protective properties. Behenic acid, on the other hand, is naturally present in rapeseed oil and peanut oil. It is a derivative of coconut fatty acids. The glyceryl behenate can be of synthetic or plant origin. It is found in the food, pharmaceutical and in skin and hair care sectors.

In Typology skincare, glyceryl behenate is ofsynthetic origin.

In cosmetics, glyceryl behenate is well tolerated by the skin; it is approved for organic use. It is primarily used for two functions:

• Emollient: This ingredient makes the formulas pleasant to the touch and soft upon application, facilitating their deposit on the skin, mucous membranes such as the lips, or even the hair.

• Emulsifier: Composed of a lipophilic part (which is attracted to fats) and a hydrophilic part (which is attracted to water), the glyceryl behenate positions itself at the interface of oily and aqueous phases. It thus enables the dispersion of these two fractions that are originally non-miscible. It works by altering the interfacial tension between droplets of water or hydrophilic molecules and lipid droplets. It is therefore present in certain cosmetic formulas of the emulsion type (creams, foundations, milks...).