Glyceryl Undecylenate

Glyceryl undecylenate is an ester of glycerin and undecylenic acid, commonly sourced from castor oil for personal care products. It's included to control microbial growth in formulas and add light emolliency for a smoother application experience.
Like this ingredient?

Ingredient Snapshot

Overview
A castor-derived ingredient that helps preserve products and soften skin.
Category
Preservative
Type
Preservative

Ingredient Ratings

Overall Rating

Good

Comedogenic Risk

Low

Skin Benefits

Helps products stay fresher for longer by discouraging spoilage, while providing a light skin-softening touch. Contributes to a more pleasant, non-greasy application feel.

Uses In Skincare & Cosmetics

Used in lotions, serums, and cleansers as part of gentle preservation systems, frequently alongside other mild preservatives. Also appears in natural-leaning creams and deodorant formats.

Comedogenic Rating

Glyceryl Undecylenate has a comedogenic rating of 1. It has a very low likelihood of clogging pores.

Safety

May cause mild irritation for very sensitive skin, particularly at higher concentrations or in leave-on products. Patch testing is prudent if prone to reactivity. No major cosmetic-specific regulatory limits are commonly cited at standard use levels.

Is Glyceryl Undecylenate a Good Ingredient?

It's Good because it provides reliable antimicrobial support within mild preservation systems while adding light emolliency, with a comparatively low sensitization profile versus stronger preservatives. It generally needs to work alongside other preservatives rather than carry a formula alone, which keeps it at Good.

Products with Glyceryl Undecylenate

Related Ingredients