Common Name(s): Polyglyceryl dimer soyate,polyglycerol dimer soyate,soy dimer acid polyglycerol ester
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Softens and conditions skin with soy-derived fatty acids while helping formulas blend.
Why It's Used: Dimerized soy fatty acids (dimer acid from c18:2 linoleic oligomerization) provide a high molecular weight, non-migrating emollient with excellent substantivity; polyglyceryl ester form provides mild emulsification.
How It Works: Dimer acid from soy linoleic (c18:2) oligomerization creates a branched high mw fatty acid; polyglyceryl esterification provides amphiphilic emollient character; low migration and high substantivity on skin.
Typically Found In: Rich skin care,body butters,natural emollient systems,sustainable cosmetics
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Functional ingredient โ emollient
Secondary Functions: Emulsifying,skin conditioning
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.5%โ10%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Conditional - feedstock declaration required
Halal Status: Unverified - feedstock declaration required (plant, animal and petrochemical routes all exist)
Source Notes: Soy oil from glycine max; dimerized fatty acids from oleochemical processing; glycerol plant-derived; natural origin. [audit 2026-07-29 rev2: origin-dependent: the same inci exists in plant, animal and petrochemical versions and the name does not discriminate. determination requires shariah-panel sign-off.]
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 1/5 โ low
Sensitivity Concerns: Very mild; natural origin; suitable for sensitive skin.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Excellent safety profile. ewg score: 1.
Works Well With: Natural oils,plant butters,other natural emulsifiers
Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Dimer acids from soy linoleic acid provide high molecular weight (c36) branched fatty acids; as polyglyceryl esters, they create substantive, non-greasy emollients with low skin penetration (high mw); used in sustainable cosmetic formulations.
Last Verified: 2026-03-27
Primary Sources: Cosing database,inci dictionary