Glyceryl stearate is a lipid used as surfactant and emulsifying agent. It is typically a common white, waxy, and thick material that helps to allow water and oil to blend together. It gives body to lotions and creams, and leaves the skin feeling soft and supple.

It is referred to as stearic acid. In a chemical sense, it is the binding of a glycerin particle to this particular fatty acid. It can be produced from the majority of vegetable oils (in oils, three fatty acid particles become linked to glycerin, not just one like here) through a straightforward and eco-friendly procedure that is comparable to soap making. Moreover, it is easily biodegradable.

Glyceryl Stearate (Wikipedia)

Not to be confused with glycol monostearate.

Glycerol monostearate, commonly known as GMS, is a monoglyceride commonly used as an emulsifier in foods. It takes the form of a white, odorless, and sweet-tasting flaky powder that is hygroscopic. Chemically it is the glycerol ester of stearic acid It is also used as hydration powder in exercise formulas

Glycerol monostearate

1-glycerol monostearate (1-isomer)
2-glycerol monostearate (2-isomer)
3D model (1-isomer)
Names
IUPAC name 2,3-Dihydroxypropyl octadecanoate
Other names Glyceryl monostearate Glycerin monostearate Monostearin GMS
Identifiers
Compounds (Mix): Mixture of 1- and 2- isomers (1-): 1-glycerol monostearate (2-): 2-glycerol monostearate
CAS Number	(Mix): 31566-31-1 Y (1-): 123-94-4 (2-): 621-61-4
3D model (JSmol)	(Mix): Interactive image
Abbreviations	GMS
ChEMBL	(Mix): ChEMBL255696 Y
ChemSpider	(Mix): 23095 Y
ECHA InfoCard	100.004.242
KEGG	(Mix): D01947 Y
PubChem CID	(1-): 24699 (2-): 79075
UNII	(Mix): 258491E1RZ Y
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	(Mix): DTXSID7029160
InChI (Mix): InChI=1/C21H42O4/c1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14-15-16-17-21(24)25-19-20(23)18-22/h20,22-23H,2-19H2,1H3 Key: VBICKXHEKHSIBG-UHFFFAOYAT (1-): InChI=1S/C21H42O4/c1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14-15-16-17-21(24)25-19-20(23)18-22/h20,22-23H,2-19H2,1H3 Y Key: VBICKXHEKHSIBG-UHFFFAOYSA-N Y
SMILES (Mix): O=C(OCC(O)CO)CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC
Properties
Chemical formula	C21H42O4
Molar mass	358.563 g·mol−1
Appearance	White solid
Density	1.03 g/cm3
Melting point	(Mix) 57–65 °C (135–149 °F) (1-) 81 °C (178 °F) (2-) 73–74 °C (163–165 °F)
Solubility in water	Insoluble
Hazards
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)	0 1 0
Flash point	230 °C (446 °F) (open cup)
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). N verify (what is YN ?) Infobox references