- Comedogenic
- Not rated
- Irritancy
- 0 / 5
- Fungal acne
- Trigger
- Type
- Emulsifier
- INCI name
- Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
- Also listed as
- Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate
Who should avoid it?
Suitable for all skin types, including oily and acne-prone skin.
Acne-safe breakdown
Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate scores 0/5, so it is one of the ingredients acne-prone skin can use freely, though it is still a fungal-acne trigger. If a product containing it breaks you out, look at the other ingredients. Our scanner will flag them.
Products that contain Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
- Dot & Key Watermelon Cooling Sunscreen SPF 50+ PA++++ With New-Age UV Filters
- La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMune 400 Oil Control Fluid SPF50+
- Minimalist Salicylic Acid + LHA 2% Cleanser
- Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics (SPF50+ PA++++)
- e.l.f. Cosmetics Halo Glow Liquid Filter Complexion Booster
- ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40
- La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5+
- Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask (Berry)
- Round Lab Soybean Nourishing Cream
- Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm (Vanilla)
- Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer
Fungal-acne safe ingredients list
Print the pore-clogging and fungal-acne cheat sheet →
Frequently asked questions
Is Polyglyceryl Isostearate comedogenic?
Polyglyceryl Isostearate has no standard rating on the comedogenic scale. It is, however, a fungal-acne trigger. Polyglyceryl fatty-acid esters are popular "natural" emulsifiers. They are esters of stearic or isostearic acid, so they can be broken down by yeast.
Is Polyglyceryl Isostearate safe for fungal acne?
No. Polyglyceryl Isostearate can feed Malassezia yeast, so people with fungal acne usually avoid it.
Does Polyglyceryl Isostearate cause acne?
It is unlikely to. Breakouts usually come from other ingredients in the formula, or from non-cosmetic causes.
What are other names for Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate?
On labels it can also appear as Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, Polyglyceryl-3 Laurate, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate, Polyglyceryl-3 Ricinoleate, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Diisostearyl Malate, Disostearyl Malate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Acetylated Glycol Stearate or Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate.