Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate

Polyglyceryl-4 laurate (CAS 75798-42-4) is a mild, nonionic polyglycerol ester of lauric acid. Built on a tetraglycerol (polyglycerol-4) backbone esterified with C12 lauric acid, it acts as an oil-in-water emulsifier, solubilizer, and surfactant in cosmetic and personal-care formulations. Because the hydrophilic head is a polyglycerol rather than an ethoxylate, it gives formulators a PEG-free route to emulsification and oil solubilization where a PEG-free composition is required.

For purchasing and formulation teams, the appeal is twofold: a mild nonionic profile suited to leave-on and rinse-off skin contact, and PEG-free chemistry that fits clean-label, sulfate-free, and PEG-free briefs without giving up emulsifier performance. RawSource sources polyglyceryl-4 laurate in bulk for personal-care manufacturers working at pilot through production scale.

Applications

Polyglyceryl-4 laurate is a polyglycerol ester, and its value across these uses comes from the same three traits: it is mild (well tolerated in skin-contact systems), nonionic (compatible across pH and with other charge classes), and PEG-free (no ethylene-oxide chemistry in the emulsifier).

Oil-in-water emulsifier and solubilizer

It emulsifies oil into water and solubilizes lipophilic actives, fragrances, and oils into aqueous bases. That makes it a working ingredient in micellar waters, oil-loaded cleansing systems, fragrance and essential-oil solubilization, and clear or translucent aqueous formats where an oil phase must be carried without a coarse emulsion. Effective HLB and use level depend on the oil phase and the rest of the surfactant system, so co-emulsifiers and viscosity builders are typically tuned around it.

Mild cleansing systems

As a nonionic surfactant, polyglyceryl-4 laurate is used to build or soften cleansing bases — facial cleansers, micellar formats, and low-irritation washes — often paired with anionic or amphoteric surfactants to lift mildness and adjust foam and feel. It is a common choice when a brief calls for sulfate-free or PEG-free cleansing.

Skin-care emulsions

In lotions, creams, and serums it serves as a primary or co-emulsifier for oil-in-water systems, contributing emulsion stability and a light, non-greasy skin feel. Its emollient and wetting character also supports texture and spreadability in the finished emulsion.

PEG-free formulation systems

For brands formulating to a PEG-free standard, polyglyceryl esters such as this one replace ethoxylated emulsifiers and solubilizers. Polyglyceryl-4 laurate lets a formulator hold emulsifying and oil-solubilizing function while keeping the composition free of polyethylene glycol — the practical reason it is specified in clean-label and PEG-free product lines.

Forms and Grade

Polyglyceryl-4 laurate is typically supplied as a liquid — commonly a clear to pale-yellow viscous liquid — at a defined active content, which varies by manufacturer and grade. Exact appearance, percent active, and viscosity are confirmed against the certificate of analysis for the lot supplied. Tell us your target specification (active level, INCI confirmation, regional compliance) and we will source to it.

Handling

Handle in accordance with the supplier Safety Data Sheet, which governs storage, personal protective equipment, and disposal for the specific grade supplied. A current SDS and certificate of analysis accompany each shipment.

Request a Quote

RawSource sources polyglyceryl-4 laurate (CAS 75798-42-4) in bulk for personal-care and cosmetic manufacturers. Send your specification and target volume — drum, tote, or larger — and we will return a bulk quote, with CoA and SDS provided. Request a quote.