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Polyglyceryl-3 oleate
AKA “Oleic acid, monoester with triglycerol, Triglycerol monooleate, CAPROL 3GO, SUNSOFT A-17C, ISOLAN GO 33, SUNSOFT A-171C, TRIGLYCERIN MONOOLEATE”
Synthetic
Ingredient Facts
Polyglyceryl-3 oleate
AKA: Oleic acid, Monoester with triglycerol, Triglycerol monooleate, CAPROL 3GO, SUNSOFT A-17C, ISOLAN GO 33, SUNSOFT A-171C, TRIGLYCERIN MONOOLEATE
Synthetic · Emollient · EWG: 1
Synthetic
Emollient
Cleanser
Emulsifier
Skin Conditioner
Synthetic
Clean
A gentle plant-derived emulsifier that helps blend oil and water-based ingredients together, creating smooth, lightweight textures in serums and moisturizers.
Formula
C27H52O8
Mol. Weight
504.70
CAS #
33940-98-6
Form
Oil
See origin →
Functions
Emulsifying
Forces oil and water to stay mixed instead of separating into layers. The unsung hero holding your lotion together.
Skin Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Emollient
Fills in the tiny cracks between skin cells to make everything feel smooth and soft. The "silky finish" ingredient.
Emulsifier
Brightens Skin
Mixes Oil & Water
Traditional Use
A synthetic emulsifier developed in the mid-20th century from glycerin and oleic acid. Designed to provide gentle, non-ionic emulsification for modern cosmetic formulations with reduced irritation.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types, gentle
Best For
General
Melanin-Rich Skin
Suitable
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
EWG
1
CIR
Safe
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
ewg-1
medical-approval
pregnancy-nursing-safe
all-shades-safe
Regulatory Status
USA✔ permitted
EU⚠ restricted
JAPAN⚠ restricted
CANADA⚠ restricted
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Oleic Acid, Lauric Acid, Palmitic Acid, Myristic Acid, and Stearic Acid
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
→
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Glyceryl Ricinoleate, Glyceryl Ricinoleate SE, Ricinoleic Acid, Potassium Ricinoleate, Sodium Rici
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
→
Dilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Isomerized Linoleic Acid
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Oleic Acid
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
PEG-8 Dimethicone/Dimer Dilinoleic Acid Copolymer
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Polyglyceryl-3 oleate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Ricinoleic Acid
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Trilinoleic Acid
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Dilinoleic Acid
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Dilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Isomerized Linoleic Acid
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Linoleic Acid
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Oleic Acid
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Polyglyceryl-3 oleate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Ricinoleic Acid
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Efficacy of an emollient containing diethylene glycol/dilinoleic acid copolymer for the treatment of dry skin and pruritus in patients with senile xer
Izumi R, Negi O, Suzuki T, Tominaga M, Kamo A et al.
Journal of cosmetic dermatology, 2017
→
Time-Dependent Differences in the Effects of Oleic Acid and Oleyl Alcohol on the Human Skin Barrier.
Kováčik A, Kopečná M, Hrdinová I, Opálka L, Boncheva Bettex M et al.
Molecular pharmaceutics, 2023
→
Linoleic Acid Induced Changes in SZ95 Sebocytes-Compariso...
Dóra Kovács, Emanuela Camera, Szilárd Póliska, Alessia Cavallo, Miriam Maiellaro, Katalin Dull + 4 more
Nutrients, 2023
→
Effect of a combination of medium chain triglycerides, linoleic acid, soy lecithin and vitamins A and E on wound healing in rats.
Magalhães MS, Fechine FV, Macedo RN, Monteiro DL, Oliveira CC et al.
Acta cirurgica brasileira, 2008
→
Resolved Psoriasis with Abundant Oleic Acid in Stratum Co...
Yasmin El Mahi, Alexis Varin, Mathieu Vetter, Ludivine Dal Zuffo, Loïc Mazzeo, Jean-Paul Pais De Barros + 3 more
The Journal of investigative dermatology, 2023
→
Resolved Psoriasis with Abundant Oleic Acid in Stratum Co...
Yasmin El Mahi, Alexis Varin, Mathieu Vetter, Ludivine Dal Zuffo, Loïc Mazzeo, Jean-Paul Pais De Barros + 3 more
The Journal of investigative dermatology, 2023
→
Differentiation of Malassezia species: selectivity of cremophor EL, castor oil and ricinoleic acid for M. furfur.
Mayser P, Haze P, Papavassilis C, Pickel M, Gruender K et al.
The British journal of dermatology, 1997
→
Differentiation of Malassezia species: selectivity of cremophor EL, castor oil and ricinoleic acid for M. furfur.
Mayser P, Haze P, Papavassilis C, Pickel M, Gruender K et al.
The British journal of dermatology, 1997
→
Differentiation of Malassezia species: selectivity of cremophor EL, castor oil and ricinoleic acid for M. furfur.
Mayser P, Haze P, Papavassilis C, Pickel M, Gruender K et al.
The British journal of dermatology, 1997
→
Fatty acid composition and productive traits of broiler fed diets containing conjugated linoleic acid.
Sirri F, Tallarico N, Meluzzi A, Franchini A
Poultry science, 2003
→
The Role of Linoleic Acid in Skin and Hair Health: A Review.
Xi Wang, Yan Jia, Huaming He
International journal of molecular sciences, 2024
→
The Role of Linoleic Acid in Skin and Hair Health: A Review.
Xi Wang, Yan Jia, Huaming He
International journal of molecular sciences, 2024
→
Verified Feb 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR