Glyceryl Monooleate
Glycerol Monooleate (GMO) is a non-ionic glycerol fatty acid ester. It is widely used as an emulsifier, dispersant, lubricant and formulation aid across food, personal care and industrial applications.
As a lipophilic emulsifier, GMO offers excellent compatibility with oils and other hydrophobic materials. It is particularly suited to water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions and can also be used alongside higher-HLB emulsifiers to achieve the desired emulsion balance in more complex formulation systems.
Product Information
Chemical family: Glycerol fatty acid ester / monoglyceride
Chemical name: Glycerol Monooleate
Common name: GMO / Glycerol Monoleate
INCI name: Glyceryl Oleate
Type: Non-ionic emulsifier / lubricant / dispersant
Appearance: Yellow to amber liquid or soft paste, depending on grade and temperature
HLB: Low-HLB emulsifier
Solubility: Oil-soluble with limited water solubility
Packaging: Drums / IBC / Bulk
Main functions
Water-in-oil emulsification
Supports the formation and stabilisation of W/O emulsions
Co-emulsification
Can be combined with higher-HLB surfactants to optimise emulsion stability and performance
Wetting and dispersion
Helps distribute oils, pigments, fillers and other hydrophobic formulation ingredients
Lubricity / process aid
Contributes lubricating and processing benefits across a range of industrial applications
Emolliency
Provides a lubricious, conditioning effect in topical formulations
Formulation stabilisation
Helps improve consistency and reduce phase separation in oil-rich systems
Typical Uses by Industry
Personal Care & Cosmetics
Used as a non-ionic emulsifier and co-emulsifier in creams, lotions, balms, ointments and cleansing products
Functions as an emollient, helping improve skin feel and product spreadability
Used as a pigment dispersant in colour cosmetics and other topical formulations
Can be combined with higher-HLB emulsifiers to produce stable emulsion systems
Metalworking & Lubricants
Used as a lubricity additive and co-emulsifier in metalworking fluids and industrial lubricants
Helps improve boundary lubrication and additive compatibility
Can support emulsion stability and processing performance
Textiles
Used as a lubricant, emulsifier and processing aid in textile formulations
Helps disperse oils and other hydrophobic processing ingredients
Polymer processing
Used as a flow modifier, lubricant and dispersant for PVC and other formulations
Anti-fogging agent for LDPE and HDPE films