Science
Mechanism of Action
Stearoyl Inulin acts as a non-ionic emulsifier, effectively stabilizing oil-in-water emulsions and refining their sensory texture without requiring synthetic surfactants. On the skin, it functions as an emollient, promoting a softer and smoother feel, and as a humectant, actively preventing trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) to boost hydration and soothe sensitivity. Furthermore, its inulin component serves as a prebiotic, rebalancing the skin's microbiota by nurturing beneficial bacteria and counteracting the proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms, thereby reinforcing the skin barrier.
Research
Clinical Evidence
High confidenceN/A
Key findings
- 01 Effectively stabilizes water-in-oil emulsion foundations and functions as an oil gelling agent, improving emulsion texture and stability.
- 02 An inulin solution (the base component) significantly rebalanced the skin microbiome on an ex vivo human skin explant model, inhibiting pathogenic bacteria (e.g., Escherichia coli, Corynebacterium striatum, Staphylococcus aureus) while preserving beneficial bacteria (Staphylococcus epidermidis).
Transparency
Dusting Analysis
The Formula
Formulation
Stability
Stearoyl Inulin exhibits broad pH compatibility. While the inulin component's chemical stability may decrease below pH 4 with increased heating, Stearoyl Inulin itself remains stable in neutral and basic environments (pH ≥ 5) even during thermal processing, allowing its use in both cold and hot process formulations.
Safety
Safety Profile
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel deemed Stearoyl Inulin, among other polysaccharide gums, safe for use in cosmetics, with maximum concentrations noted up to 50% in rinse-off and 45.7% in leave-on products. Inulin, its foundational component, is Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) by the FDA for food use. Topical application is considered non-toxic, non-irritating, and dermatologically safe, with specific cosmetic formulation concentrations typically ranging up to 5.0 wt%.
Your Skin
Skin Compatibility
Our Assessment
Verdict
Stearoyl Inulin is a highly valuable, naturally derived ingredient that significantly enhances product texture and stability while offering substantial skin conditioning, hydration, and microbiome-balancing benefits across all skin types with a low risk of irritation or comedogenicity.
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