INCI: Polyglyceryl-6 Laurate - Also known as: Hexaglycerol Monolaurate, PG-6 Laurate

QUICK FACTS

What is Polyglyceryl-6 Laurate?

Polyglyceryl-6 Laurate is a polyglyceryl ester produced by esterifying a six-unit polyglycerol chain (derived from glycerin) with lauric acid (C12, from coconut oil). The resulting molecule is a non-ionic emulsifier with an unusually high hydrophilic-to-lipophilic balance (HLB) due to its extended polyglycerol head group, making it particularly effective at stabilizing oil-in-water emulsions while simultaneously contributing mild, skin-compatible surface-active character.

Polyglyceryl esters as a class share with alkyl polyglucosides the distinction of being among the mildest, most skin-compatible emulsifiers available — both classes are non-ionic, plant-derived, and biodegradable. The polyglycerol head group of Polyglyceryl-6 Laurate is structurally similar to glycerin itself (which Sweet Chemistry formulates as the primary humectant in all three water-based formulas), giving it an inherent skin compatibility that conventional synthetic emulsifiers do not share.

In the Barrier Repairing Hydra-Serum, Polyglyceryl-6 Laurate is the third member of the three-component plant-derived emulsifier system alongside Lauryl Glucoside (C12 APG) and Myristyl Glucoside (C14 APG). Its polyglyceryl ester chemistry complements the alkyl glucoside chemistry of its two co-emulsifiers, providing broader emulsification coverage across different emulsion microenvironments than a mono-class emulsifier system.

What does it do for skin?

Polyglyceryl-6 Laurate's primary contribution is emulsification support — stabilizing the oil-in-water emulsion architecture of the Hydra-Serum and enabling the co-delivery of the formula's oil-phase actives (ceramides, rosehip seed oil, caprylic/capric triglyceride) with its water-phase actives (niacinamide, Matrikynes® peptides, the NMF complex) in a single stable formula.

Its non-ionic, polyglycerol-based head group leaves a mild conditioning and smoothing character at the skin surface — the glycerol units are hygroscopic and skin-compatible, contributing a subtle moisturizing dimension to the emulsifier's skin contact rather than simply sitting as an inert surface-active molecule.

The complementarity between Polyglyceryl-6 Laurate and the APG co-emulsifiers in the same formula is a formulation design choice: different emulsifier classes with different molecular architectures provide broader, more stable emulsification than any single class alone. The Hydra-Serum's all-plant-derived, all-non-ionic emulsifier approach — three emulsifiers covering APG and polyglyceryl ester chemistry — creates an emulsion system that is both mild and broadly stable without ionic surfactant chemistry.

FOUND IN

In 1 Formula

Polyglyceryl-6 Laurate is specific to the Barrier Repairing Hydra-Serum, where it completes the three-component plant-derived non-ionic emulsifier system alongside Lauryl Glucoside and Myristyl Glucoside.

Nourishment - All Skin Types

Barrier Repairing Hydra-Serum Polyglyceryl-6 Laurate - 1.0 oz / 30 ml

The Hydra-Serum's plant-derived, non-ionic emulsifier system (Lauryl Glucoside + Myristyl Glucoside + Polyglyceryl-6 Laurate) enables stable co-delivery of 3% Matrikynes® peptides, 5% niacinamide, 3% ceramides, and rosehip seed oil in a 40%-active, all-skin-types formula.

WORKS TOGETHER WITH

APG Co-Emulsifier Lauryl Glucoside

INCI: Lauryl Glucoside.

The C12 alkyl polyglucoside emulsifier in the Hydra-Serum system. Synergy Note: Lauryl Glucoside and Polyglyceryl-6 Laurate share C12 lauric acid-derived chemistry but belong to different emulsifier classes — APG and polyglyceryl ester. Their complementary molecular architectures provide broader emulsification coverage than either class alone.

APG Co-Emulsifier Myristyl Glucoside

INCI: Myristyl Glucoside.

The C14 alkyl polyglucoside emulsifier in the Hydra-Serum system. Synergy Note: The three emulsifiers — Lauryl Glucoside (C12 APG), Myristyl Glucoside (C14 APG), and Polyglyceryl-6 Laurate (polyglyceryl ester) — form a complementary, all-plant-derived, all-non-ionic emulsifier panel with broader HLB coverage than any single emulsifier provides.

ECM Peptide Complex Matrikynes® Bone Peptides

INCI: Hydrolyzed Cow Bone Extract.

At 3% in all four formulas. Synergy Note: Polyglyceryl-6 Laurate's emulsification role enables stable delivery of Matrikynes® peptides within the Hydra-Serum's water-based emulsion — consistent active delivery depends on consistent emulsion stability.