Polyglyceryl-6 Oleate

Polyglyceryl-6 oleate is a nonionic emulsifier/surfactant used in leave-on and rinse-off products (commonly ~0.5–5%) to solubilize oils and stabilize emulsions. As a surfactant-class ingredient it can disrupt barrier lipids and cause mild stinging or dryness in highly reactive or eczema-prone skin, though patch-test/clinical use generally shows good tolerability compared with harsher anionic surfactants. Given the low but real irritation potential—especially in compromised skin or when combined with other surfactants/actives—this fits a "gentle" score rather than very gentle/inert. Safety Notes: Polyglyceryl-6 Oleate is used primarily as a nonionic emulsifier/co-emulsifier and mild solubilizer for oils in cleansers, micellar-type products, and O/W emulsions; in commercial formulas it is often present at low levels (~0.1–1%) as a secondary emulsifier or emollient. Higher consumer-available concentrations (about 3–8%) are observed in high-oil-load cleansing oils/balms, makeup removers, and rinse-off cleansing emulsions where it functions as a primary emulsifier and aids self-emulsification on contact with water. It is less commonly driven to very high levels in leave-on creams/lotions due to sensorial tack/drag and emulsifier load considerations, so the upper end is mainly represented by rinse-off and remover formats.