thickener · emollient
Glycol Distearate
Fearmongered, actually fine·Strong evidence
A wax-like ester of ethylene glycol and stearic acid used purely to thicken shampoo/conditioner and give it a pearly opaque look; it has no cleansing or active role. CIR found it non-sensitizing and non-irritating even at high test concentrations, and decades of manufacturer exposure data show no reported health effects.
The myth vs the evidence
It sounds industrial because of the word "glycol," but glycol distearate is just a wax that makes shampoo look pearly and feel thicker; it is unrelated to the ethylene glycol used in antifreeze in any way that matters for skin contact.
Products with Glycol Distearate
References
Cosmetic information for general education, not medical advice. Concern is graded on cited evidence, never on hazard-score lists. See how we score.