What a 3/5 rating means
On the comedogenic scale, a 3 is the moderate midpoint: tolerated by many, a possible trigger for congestion-prone skin. That puts Glyceryl Stearate SE squarely in the judgement-call zone, where your skin type and the product's formula decide the outcome.
One thing the number cannot tell you is concentration. Ingredients are listed in descending order, so Glyceryl Stearate SE near the end of a label is present in tiny amounts and matters far less than the same ingredient near the top.
About Glyceryl Stearate SE
It is an emulsifier, the ingredient that keeps a product's oil and water phases from separating. The self-emulsifying (SE) grade of glyceryl stearate carries added soap and rates higher than the plain form, at 3/5. The non-SE grade is far milder.
On a label it can read as Glyceryl Stearate Se, Glyceryl Stearate (Se), Glyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Glyceryl 3-Diisostearate — worth knowing when you scan an ingredient deck.
Glyceryl Stearate SE in makeup and skincare
It quietly stabilises most cream foundations, lotions, and moisturisers. Its irritancy is rated separately at 2/5, which is low.
If you deal with fungal acne (malassezia folliculitis) rather than ordinary clogged pores, note that Glyceryl Stearate SE is among the fatty-acid or ester-type ingredients that community sources commonly avoid — a separate concern from its comedogenic score, and one with weaker evidence behind it.
Lower-rated alternatives to Glyceryl Stearate SE
If you want a similar role with a friendlier comedogenic score, consider:
- Glyceryl Stearate — comedogenic rating 1/5 (Low risk).
- Cetearyl Alcohol — comedogenic rating 2/5 (Low risk).
Glyceryl Stearate SE comedogenic FAQ
Is Glyceryl Stearate SE comedogenic?
Moderately. Glyceryl Stearate SE is rated 3/5 (moderate), the middle of the 0–5 scale: many people tolerate it, but it can contribute to breakouts on congestion-prone skin.
What is the comedogenic rating of Glyceryl Stearate SE?
Glyceryl Stearate SE has a comedogenic rating of 3/5 (moderate). Of the 190 ingredients in our dataset with a published rating, 39 rate higher than Glyceryl Stearate SE, 97 rate lower, and 53 others share its 3/5. Among the 22 rated emulsifiers, 3 rate higher and 9 lower. The figure is drawn from 2 cited sources, listed on this page.
Is Glyceryl Stearate SE pore-clogging?
It can be for some people. At 3/5, Glyceryl Stearate SE is in the moderate band. How much it matters depends on concentration: near the top of an ingredient list it is a bigger factor than near the end. Comedogenic ratings come mostly from rabbit-ear assays and small human patch tests of the pure ingredient at high concentration, so they are a screening guide, not a prediction for your skin or a medical claim.