In our reference data, Glycerol monooleate can feed Malassezia (fungal acne).
Glycerol monooleate (glyceryl monooleate) is a monoglyceride of oleic acid used in skincare as an emollient, emulsifier, and penetration enhancer that helps stabilize formulations and improve skin feel. It also forms liquid-crystalline structures useful in delivery systems.
| Reported effect | How often | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Mild skin irritation | Uncommon | Transient redness or stinging, typically in sensitive or compromised skin. |
Contact dermatitis / allergic sensitization | Rare | Reported infrequently; possible in individuals sensitized to fatty acid derivatives. |
Comedogenicity / acne flare | Uncommon | Oleic acid–based lipids may aggravate acne-prone or oily skin in some users. |
Enhanced penetration of co-formulated agents | Uncommon | As a penetration enhancer it may increase absorption and irritation potential of other actives. |
Frequencies reflect typical cosmetic use reported in the literature, not a guarantee for your skin.
Peer-reviewed papers on this ingredient, via PubMed.