Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate — Allergy Risk & Safety Profile

Name: Is Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate Safe? Allergy Risk & Alternatives
Creator: SkinDetekt

INCI: SODIUM STEAROYL GLUTAMATE

✅ Low Risk

Key Facts

CAS Number: 38517-37-2
Category: emulsifier
Risk Level: low
Common Allergen: No
Found In: cream

Is Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate safe in cosmetics?

Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate is rated low risk in cosmetic products. It is not classified as a common allergen and is generally well-tolerated by most skin types. Commonly found in cream.

What is Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate?

Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate is a emulsifier commonly used in cosmetic and personal care products. It is generally considered safe at recommended concentrations.

Allergy & Safety Information

Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate is considered safe for cosmetic use.

This ingredient is considered low risk from an allergenicity perspective. Reactions are uncommon at typical cosmetic use concentrations. However, no ingredient is universally safe — if you notice redness, itching, or irritation after using a product containing this ingredient, discontinue use and monitor whether symptoms resolve.

About Emulsifier Ingredients

Emulsifiers allow oil and water to mix stably in a formulation, creating creams and lotions. They work by surrounding oil droplets with molecules that are compatible with both water and oil. Most emulsifiers have low sensitisation rates, but some — particularly PEG-derived emulsifiers — can be problematic for barrier-compromised skin.

Relevance for Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate: Emulsifiers can disrupt the skin's own lipid barrier through a process called emulsification of skin lipids. For very sensitive or eczema-prone skin, emulsifier-free moisturisers (ointments, oils) are sometimes better tolerated than emulsion-based creams.

How to Identify Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate in Products

Cosmetic ingredients are listed by their INCI (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients) name in descending order of concentration. To check whether a product contains Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, scan the ingredient list for its INCI name exactly as it appears above. Ingredients present at 1% or less may appear in any order after the 1% threshold.

Product types to prioritise checking: Cream. These product categories are the most common sources of Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate exposure based on formulation data.

Not sure if your products contain Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate? Paste the ingredient list into the free ingredient checker to scan for Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate and other allergens automatically.