ETHYLENE GLYCOL DISTEARATE
Ethylene Glycol Distearate
EGDS
Glycol Distearate
Ethylene distearate
Ethylene glycol dioctadecanoate
Ethylene Glycol Distearate, or EGDS or glycol distearate, is the diester of stearic acid and ethylene glycol.
Ethylene Glycol Distearate is most commonly found in personal care products and cosmetics, where it is used to produce pearlescent effects and as a moisturizer.
EGDS is the product of the reaction of stearic acid with ethylene glycol.
Ethylene Glycol Distearate is a mixture of mono- and di- esters, as reflected in its saponification value.
Ethylene Glycol Distearate is a mixture of mono and diesters of ethylene glycol and stearic acid with a high content of diester.
Glycol Distearate is used as pearlising agent, opacifier and viscosity builder in many different types of personal care products like creams and lotions, shampoos, liquid soaps and bath gels.
Ethylene Glycol Distearate can also be used as softening agent in laundry liquid formulations and as general-purpose emulsifier and emulsions stabilizer in a wide range of industrial applications.
Its effectiveness as an opacifier and pearlizing agent is due to its near insolubility in aqueous systems.
Cosmetic Ingredient Functions:
Emollient
Moisturizing Agent
Emulsifying Agent
Opacifying Agent
Viscosity Controlling Agent
Skin Conditioning Agent
EC / List no.: 292-932-1
CAS no.: 91031-31-1
EC / List no.: 211-014-3
CAS no.: 627-83-8
Mol. formula: C38H74O4
Ethylene distearate
IUPAC names
2-octadecanoyloxyethyl octadecanoate
Ehtylene Distearate
ethane-1,2-diyl dioctadecanoate
Ethylene distearate
Ethylene Glycol Distearate
Ethyleneglycol distearate
Octadecanoic acid, 1,2-ethanediyl ester
Octadecanoic acid,1,1'-(1,2-ethanediyl) ester
Trade names:
Cerasynt M
Cithrol EGDS
Cithrol EGMS
Dub DSEG
Dub SEG
EGDS
Glycol Stearate
LASEMUL 2/62
LASEMUL 2/62 A
RADIA 7268
SP Cithrol EGDS MBAL
UNISTER E-275
eSlip 2065
Ethylene Glycol Distearate, or EGDS for short, is the crucial ingredient in pearlescent-looking personal care products and cosmetics.
EGDS dissolves and emulsifies upon heating(at least 75℃) in the surfactant complex and precipitates out lens-like crystals during cooling, thus producing a pearlescent luster.
It plays a 3-in-1 role in the formula, i.e., Surfactant, Opacifier, and Pearlizing agent.
EGDS is gentle on the skin with low irritation.
Ethylene Glycol Distearate features superior opacifying performance and a bright white appearance, making the final product more substantial and demonstrating a soft, velvety feel.
Ethylene Glycol Distearate also can easily dissolve in water and is highly compatible with many other surfactants.
Utilized at a level of 1% to 2% in cream and lotion (O/W emulsion) products, Ethylene Glycol Distearate will contribute body, opacity and a soft velvety feel. Higher levels (up to 10%) can impart additional body, bringing the product towards a stiff paste consistency.
When incorporated at 0.5% to 2.5% in aqueous personal care cleansing products, brilliant pearlescence results.
Consistent batch to batch pearlescent effects require formulation and manufacture under carefully controlled conditions.
For optimal effect it is important to heat the batch to at least 75°C and to maintain this temperature until EGDS is completely melted and finely dispersed.
The batch is then cooled to room temperature (~30°C maximum) with continuous agitation.
If used at too high a level, excessive opacity will diminish the pearlescent effect.
If incorporated at too low a level, solubilization by surfactants can result in either no pearlescence or delayed and excessively temperature-sensitive pearlescence (resulting in product that is, or becomes, hazy or murky).
Ethylene glycol Distearate, also known as EGDS, is a solid opacifying and pearlising agent commonly used in haircare products to impart either a white sheen or a pearl effect, depending on the quantity used.
Ethylene glycol Distearate must be melted either before use or during processing, depending on the formulation type.
Upon cooling, the EGDS re-crystalizes to form either a turbid or pearlescent structure.
It may also be dyed or pigmented or coloured with Micas for a sparkle/shimmer effect as well as to give coloured opaque or pearly effects.
The glycol part of this molecule is sourced from ethylene glycol which is commonly petrochemical derived, the distearate is from stearic acid which is usually from vegetable sources.
However as plant-based glycols become available at better prices, this product may become 100% plant based.
EGDS is oil Soluble but it is also surface active so can be melted into an aqueous product, especially in the case of shampoos and bodywashes. It has an HLB of around 5-6 and can be used as a co-emulsifer for water in oil (w/o) emulsions.
The melting Point is 58-64 C and typical usage is between 2 -4% (with a maximum 10%) depending on the desired effect.
Common uses include;
Shampoos: opaque or pearly effect.
Body wash : opaque or pearly effect.
Hand wash: opaque or pearly effect.
Conditioners: opaque or pearly effect
Moisturizers: opaque or pearly effect
Preferred IUPAC name: Ethane-1,2-diyl di(octadecanoate)
Other names
Ethylene glycol distearate; Ethylene distearate;
Fatty acids, C16-18, esters with ethylene glycol
EC Number: 292-932-1
EC Name: Fatty acids, C16-18, esters with ethylene glycol
CAS Number: 91031-31-1
Tariff code (H.S. Code): 3402.42
Molecular formula: C18H36O3, C20H40O3, C34H66O2, C36H70O4, C38H74O2
IUPAC Name: Fatty acids, C16-18, esters with ethylene glycol
Diester of stearic acid and ethylene glycol.
It is a pearlized agent for cleaning formulations such as shampoo and facial wash foam.
It gives a relatively large crystalline pearl sheen.
It is relatively stable even when formulated in low-viscosity formulations.
Glycol Stearate, Glycol Stearate SE (Self Emulsified), and Glycol Distearate are white to cream-colored waxy solids.
All three ingredients are mixtures of mono- and diesters of ethylene glycol and stearic acid.
Glycol Stearate is predominantly the monoester, while Glycol Distearate is predominantly the diester.
Glycol Stearate SE is a self-emulsifying grade of Glycol Stearate that contains some sodium and/or potassium stearate.
Glycol Stearate, Glycol Stearate SE, and Glycol Distearate may be used to formulate a wide variety of cosmetics and personal care products, including bubble baths, makeup, hair, skin, and nail care products.
The following functions have been reported for Glycol Stearate, Glycol Stearate SE and Glycol Distearate.
Emulsion stabilizer – Glycol Stearate
Opacifying agent – Glycol Stearate, Glycol Distearate
Skin conditioning agent – emollient – Glycol Stearate
Skin conditioning agent – occulsive – Glycol Distearate
Surfactant – emulsifying agent – Glycol Stearate SE
Viscosity increasing agent – nonaqueous – Glycol Distearate
Ethylene glycol distearate is suggested for use as an opacifier, pearlescing agent and viscosity modifier in cosmetic formulations and household product formulations.
Functions of Ethylene Glycol Distearate in cosmetic products
OPACIFYING
Ethylene Glycol Distearate reduces transparency and translucency by clouding the product.
SKIN CONDITIONING
Ethylene Glycol Distearate maintains the skin in good condition.
SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT
Ethylene Glycol Distearate softens and smoothens the skin.
SURFACTANT - EMULSIFYING
Ethylene Glycol Distearate allows the formation of finely dispersed mixtures of oil and water emulsions.
VISCOSITY CONTROLLING
Ethylene Glycol Distearate increases or decreases the viscosity of cosmetic products.
Origin
animal/synthetic
IUPAC names
2-Hydroxyethyl 18-(palmitoyloxy)octadecanoate
DISTER E
EGDS
Ethylene glycol distearate
Ethyleneglycol palmitate stearate
Ethyleneglycol palmitate stearate
Fatty acids C16-18 with Ethylene Glycol
Fatty acids, C16-18 (even numbered), esters with ethylene glycol
FATTY ACIDS, C16-18, ESTERS WITH ETHYLENE GLYCOL
Fatty acids, C16-18, esters with ethylene glycolFatty acids, C16-18, esters with ethylene glycol
Glycol Distearate
Glycol distearate (Fatty acids, C16-C18, esters with ethylene glycol)
Trade names
Cerasynt M
Cithrol EGDS
Cithrol EGMS
Dub DSEG
Dub SEG
EGDS
eSlip 2065
Glycol Stearate
LASEMUL 2/62
LASEMUL 2/62 A
RADIA 7268
RADIASURF 7270
SP Cithrol EGDS MBAL
UNISTER E-275
Ethylene glycol distearate
627-83-8
Glycol distearate
Ethylene distearate
Ethylene stearate
Stearic acid, ethylene ester
EGDS
Emerest 2355
Elfan L 310
Ethylene glycol dioctadecanoate
OCTADECANOIC ACID, 1,2-ETHANEDIYL ESTER
2-octadecanoyloxyethyl octadecanoate
ETHYLENEGLYCOLDISTEARATE
Ethylene glycol, distearate
Genapol PMs
Glycol distearate [USAN]
Secoster DMS
Alkamuls EGDS
Kemester EGDS
Lexemul EGDS
McAlester EGDS
Kessco EGDS
Mapeg EGDS
Lipo EGDS
Rita EDGS
ethane-1,2-diyl dioctadecanoate
Rewopal PG 280
1,2-Ethanediyl bis(octadecanoate)
NSC 6820
NSC-6820
Glycol distearate (USAN)
13W7MDN21W
Octadecanoic acid, 1,1'-(1,2-ethanediyl) ester
2-(octadecanoyloxy)ethyl octadecanoate
UNII-13W7MDN21W
Emalex EG-diS
Pegosperse 50DS
Emalex EG-di-S
EINECS 211-014-3
Pegosperse 50 DS
Ethylene dioctadecanoate
Tegin BL 315
EC 211-014-3
Ethane-1,2-diyl distearate
SCHEMBL29407
Ethylene glycol distearate VA
GLYCOL DISTEARATE [II]
CHEMBL2106683
DTXSID6027260
GLYCOL DISTEARATE [INCI]
2-(Stearoyloxy)ethyl stearate #
GLYCOL DISTEARATE [VANDF]
NSC6820
CHEBI:177103
Octadecanoic acid,2-ethanediyl ester
LMFA07010887
Stearic acid, ethylene ester (8CI)
AKOS015915533
ethylene glycol distearate, AldrichCPR
BS-49020
Ethylene glycol, diester with stearic acid
Ethylene Glycol Distearate is often used in products like shampoos, shower gels, cleansers, handwashes and creams. It is used as an emulsion stabilizer, a conditioning agent, opacifying agent and a thickening agent. It is the ester of ethylene glycol and stearic acid. It is said to be naturally derived as stearic acid is obtained from plant or animal sources.
Features & Benefits:
Excellent solubility and compatibility with other surfactants, resulting in great formulating flexibility.
Superior opacifying performance and bright white appearance can make the product more substantial and features a soft velvety feel.
Helps to form a three-dimensional brilliant, uniform and stable, bright satin-like pearlescent texture.
Mild and low irritation makes it perfect for formulating all kinds of skin-touch products, to name a few, Shampoo, Body Lotion, Facial Cleanser, and Hand Soap Liquid.
Outstanding biodegradability(degradation rate up to 97%), and hard water resistant property.
Stability/Shelf life:
Stable. Combustible. Incompatible with potent oxidizing agents.
Sealed, stored in a cool, dry and ventilated place; Avoid direct sunlight.
