Top 10 Companies in the Cosmetic Grade Polyhydroxystearic Acid Market (2025): Innovation Leaders Powering Premium Beauty Formulations

In Business Insights
June 03, 2025

The Global Cosmetic Grade Polyhydroxystearic Acid Market was valued at USD 38 million in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 50.34 million by 2030, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.10% during the forecast period (2023–2030). This growth is driven by increasing demand for natural emulsifiers in skincare and makeup products, along with the global shift toward plant-derived cosmetic ingredients.

As formulators replace synthetic emulsifiers with safer alternatives, polyhydroxystearic acid has emerged as a preferred choice due to its excellent skin compatibility and multifunctional properties. In this analysis, we examine the Top 10 Companies in Cosmetic Grade Polyhydroxystearic Acid—specialty chemical leaders developing high-performance solutions for prestige beauty brands.


🔟 1. Innospec

Headquarters: Englewood, Colorado, USA
Key Offering: High-purity PHSA (Content ≥99%)

Innospec leads the market with pharmaceutical-grade polyhydroxystearic acid used in luxury skincare formulations. Their products meet the most stringent international safety standards for cosmetic ingredients.

Technical Advantages:

  • Molecular weight customization from 350-700 Daltons
  • Exceptional stability in pH range 3.5-8.5
  • Heavy metal content below 5ppm

Download FREE Sample Report: Cosmetic Grade Polyhydroxystearic Acid Market – View in Detailed Research Report


9️⃣ 2. Guangzhou Panyu United Baoying Chemical

Headquarters: Guangzhou, China
Key Offering: Cost-effective PHSA solutions

This Chinese manufacturer has become a key supplier for Asia-Pacific beauty brands, offering competitively priced PHSA without compromising on purity requirements for international markets.

Market Strengths:

  • Annual production capacity exceeding 2,000 tons
  • Specialization in emulsion-stable formulations
  • Strategic partnerships with contract manufacturers

8️⃣ 3. Croda International

Headquarters: Snaith, UK
Key Offering: Crodamol PHSA™

Croda’s specialized PHSA is formulated for high-performance cosmetics, particularly sun care and anti-aging products requiring superior emulsion stability.

Innovation Focus:

  • Sustainable sourcing from RSPO-certified palm oil
  • Cold-process compatible variants
  • Customized viscosity profiles

7️⃣ 4. Nikko Chemicals

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: Nikko PHSA series

Japanese chemical specialist Nikko offers PHSA variants specifically engineered for delicate J-beauty formulations and sensitive skin applications.

Technical Specifications:

  • Purity levels up to 99.5%
  • Low odor variants available
  • Optimized for water-resistant formulations

Download FREE Sample Report: Cosmetic Grade Polyhydroxystearic Acid Market – View in Detailed Research Report


6️⃣ 5. Evonik Industries

Headquarters: Essen, Germany
Key Offering: TEGO® PHSA series

Evonik’s personal care division provides specialized PHSA grades for different cosmetic applications, from long-wear makeup to sunscreen formulations requiring enhanced water resistance.

Product Features:

  • Emulsifier-thickener hybrid systems
  • Improved texture and sensory properties
  • Global technical support network

5️⃣ 6. Elementis

Headquarters: London, UK
Key Offering: Elementis PHSA

Elementis has developed premium PHSA known for its creamy texture and skin conditioning benefits, making it popular in prestige skincare lines.

Differentiating Factors:

  • Enhanced spreadability
  • Reduced tackiness in final formulations
  • Compatibility with active ingredients

4️⃣ 7. Solvay

Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium
Key Offering: PHSA for color cosmetics

Solvay specializes in PHSA optimized for makeup applications, offering superior pigment wetting and dispersion properties for long-wear formulas.

Technical Benefits:

  • Excellent oxidative stability
  • Improved color payoff
  • Enhanced formulation flexibility

3️⃣ 8. Lubrizol

Headquarters: Wickliffe, Ohio, USA
Key Offering: Carbopol® Edge PHSA

Lubrizol combines PHSA with its polymer technology to create multifunctional systems that deliver both emulsification and texture benefits.

Innovation Highlights:

  • SPF boosting capabilities
  • Reduced formulation complexity
  • Process efficiency improvements

2️⃣ 9. BASF

Headquarters: Ludwigshafen, Germany
Key Offering: PHSA under the Cetiol® brand

BASF offers PHSA with full traceability from sustainable castor oil sources, meeting the growing demand for responsibly sourced cosmetic ingredients.

Sustainability Credentials:

  • Mass Balance Certified
  • Biodegradability >85%
  • Carbon footprint reduction program

1️⃣ 10. Gattefossé

Headquarters: Saint-Priest, France
Key Offering: Emulium® PHSA

Gattefossé’s ultra-refined PHSA meets pharmaceutical standards, preferred by luxury skincare brands for its exceptional purity and performance in anti-aging formulations.

Premium Attributes:

  • Reduced impurity profile
  • Enhanced skin barrier support
  • Superior batch-to-batch consistency

Read Full Report: Cosmetic Grade Polyhydroxystearic Acid Market – View in Detailed Research Report


🧴 Future Outlook: Natural Emulsifiers Driving Clean Beauty Innovation

The cosmetic grade polyhydroxystearic acid market is evolving rapidly as formulators seek alternatives to traditional synthetic emulsifiers. PHSA’s natural origin, multifunctional properties, and excellent safety profile position it for sustained growth in premium cosmetic formulations.

📈 Key Market Trends:

  • Rising demand for multifunctional natural emulsifiers
  • Increased regulatory scrutiny of traditional PEG-based ingredients
  • Growing preference for clean-label cosmetics in Asia-Pacific markets
  • Technical advancements enabling broader formulation applications

Read Full Report: Cosmetic Grade Polyhydroxystearic Acid Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies profiled above represent the innovation forefront in cosmetic emulsifiers, developing PHSA solutions that meet both formulator needs and consumer demands for safer, high-performance beauty products.