Cosmetics · Quasi-drug actives
Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate
グリチルレチン酸ステアリル (Guricchiruretin-san suteariru)
Also known as: Glycyrrhetinic Acid Stearate
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| Category | Cosmetics |
|---|---|
| INCI name | Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate↗ |
| Japanese labeling name | グリチルレチン酸ステアリル |
| Common Japanese notations | グリチルレチン酸ステアリル |
| CAS number | 13832-70-7↗ |
| Origin | Plant-derived (esterified Glycyrrhiza-derived glycyrrhetinic acid) |
| Typical functions | Quasi-drug anti-inflammatory active (oil-soluble) |
| Regulatory status in Japan | Approved as a quasi-drug (医薬部外品) anti-inflammatory active by 厚生労働省 (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare). |
Stearyl glycyrrhetinate is the stearyl ester of glycyrrhetinic acid (the aglycone of glycyrrhizic acid). It is the oil-soluble counterpart to dipotassium glycyrrhizate, used in medicated formulations where lipid-phase incorporation is required.
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Classification
Tags below link to other ingredients sharing the same attribute, so you can pivot from one ingredient to its peers.
Product applications
Functions
Regulatory tags
Common OEM product categories
Finished-product categories where Japanese OEM manufacturers commonly formulate with this ingredient.
- Medicated balms and creams
- Quasi-drug skincare for sensitive skin
- Lip-care products
Ingredient profile
Stearyl glycyrrhetinate is produced by esterification of glycyrrhetinic acid with stearyl alcohol. The ester is oil-soluble, making it suitable for incorporation into oil-phase or emulsion formulations.
OEM applications
In Japanese cosmetics, stearyl glycyrrhetinate appears in medicated creams, balms, and oil-phase-rich formulations for sensitive skin.
Regulatory classification in Japan
Approved as a quasi-drug anti-inflammatory active by 厚生労働省 (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare).
Regulatory classification in other markets
| EU | Listed in CosIng. Permitted for cosmetic use. |
|---|---|
| USA | INCI recognized. |
| China | Permitted per IECIC listings. |
| Korea | Permitted under KFDA / MFDS. |
Market reference formulations
Example finished products will be added after each product's current full ingredient list has been verified.
All brand names and product names referenced anywhere on this site are the property of their respective owners. Example entries are provided for informational purposes only and do not imply endorsement.
Alternative ingredients
Related ingredients commonly evaluated as substitutes.
Quick answers
- What is Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate?
- Stearyl glycyrrhetinate is the stearyl ester of glycyrrhetinic acid (the aglycone of glycyrrhizic acid). It is the oil-soluble counterpart to dipotassium glycyrrhizate, used in medicated formulations where lipid-phase incorporation is required.
- What is the regulatory status of Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate in Japan?
- Approved as a quasi-drug (医薬部外品) anti-inflammatory active by 厚生労働省 (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare).
- What products typically use Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate?
- Medicated balms and creams / Quasi-drug skincare for sensitive skin / Lip-care products
- Where does Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate come from?
- Plant-derived (esterified Glycyrrhiza-derived glycyrrhetinic acid)
- What is the INCI / JSCI labeling name for Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate?
- INCI: Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate / JSCI: グリチルレチン酸ステアリル
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Regulatory guidance
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FAQ for OEM buyers
Q. How does stearyl glycyrrhetinate differ from dipotassium glycyrrhizate for OEM?
Stearyl glycyrrhetinate is the oil-soluble stearyl ester form, used in oil-phase or emulsion products; dipotassium glycyrrhizate is the water-soluble form. Choose the ester for creams, balms, and W/O emulsions where a water-soluble salt would be incompatible.
Sources · Last reviewed: 2026-04-26
- Personal Care Products Council — INCI Dictionary (Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate)
Q. Is it approved as a quasi-drug active in Japan?
Yes — stearyl glycyrrhetinate is on the 厚生労働省 (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare) quasi-drug anti-inflammatory active ingredient list and is used in medicated creams, balms, and oil-phase formulations.
Sources · Last reviewed: 2026-04-26
- 厚生労働省 (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare) — quasi-drug anti-inflammatory actives (stearyl glycyrrhetinate)
Q. What is the typical use level and processing temperature?
Used at 0.1–0.5% in oil phase; melts at ~70°C, so it is added to the oil phase prior to emulsification. Quasi-drug formulations stay within 厚生労働省 (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare)-approved levels (typically ≤0.3%).
Sources · Last reviewed: 2026-04-26
- Industry knowledge — stearyl glycyrrhetinate formulation practice
Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source
Q. Can it be used together with the dipotassium salt for dual-phase delivery?
Yes — many sensitive-skin and medicated balm formulations combine the oil-soluble ester with the water-soluble salt to deliver anti-inflammatory positioning across both phases.
Sources · Last reviewed: 2026-04-26
- Industry knowledge — Japanese sensitive-skin formulation
Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source
Use cases
Medicated balm / cream (薬用クリーム)
- Positioning
- Sensitive-skin / dry-skin daily care quasi-drug
- Typical usage level
- 0.1–0.3% (Japan quasi-drug)
- Formulation notes
- Add to oil phase ≥70°C; pair with ceramides and shea butter.
Sources
- Industry knowledge — sensitive-skin balm category
Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source
Baby skincare cream
- Positioning
- Gentle daily-use baby balm
- Formulation notes
- Combine with allantoin and panthenol; oil-phase incorporation.
Sources
- Industry knowledge — Japanese baby-skincare segment
Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source
Lip balm
- Positioning
- Anti-inflammatory medicated lip-care
- Formulation notes
- Used at 0.1–0.3% in oil/wax phase; quasi-drug filing for medicated lip-balm claims.
Sources
- Industry knowledge — Japanese medicated lip-care segment
Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source
Hand cream / body cream for dry sensitive skin
- Positioning
- Daily-use medicated body care
- Formulation notes
- Oil-phase active; pair with urea or ceramides.
Sources
- Industry knowledge — Japanese hand-care category
Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source
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Official regulatory databases
External links to public Japanese / international regulatory authorities. We are not affiliated.
References
- Japan 医薬品医療機器総合機構 PMDA (Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency) — quasi-drug active ingredient approval registry
- EU CosIng entry: Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate
Last updated: 2026-04-22. Ingredient entries are reviewed at least annually against current regulatory listings.