Very Disliked

Stearic Acid

Explained

Stearic Acid is a fatty acid. It is an emollient, emulsifier, and texture enhancer.

As an emollient, stearic acid helps soften skin. It aids the skin's protective barrier by preventing water loss. It also provides a gentle cleansing effect without stripping away natural oils.

Stearic acid may also be used to enhance the texture of products. It can add volume and stabilize ingredients such as water and oil. This can help water and oil ingredients from separating.

Sources of stearic acid include animal or vegetable fats/oils such as coconut or shea. It can be naturally found in butter, cocoa butter, shea butter, vegetable fats, and animal tallow.

This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne safe.

See all 8,390 products with Stearic Acid

Comedogenic Rating
2-3
Irritancy Rating
0
Users who like it
5%
Users who avoid it
95%

What it does

Cleansing To free from dirt, contamination, or impurities
Emulsifying The act of emulsion: a suspension of small globules of one liquid in a second liquid with which the first will not mix
Emulsion Stabilising Stabiliziing emulsion, making two non-mixable ingredients stable
Masking Obscuring or blocking

Prevalence

Somewhat common Percentage of products that contain it
9.4%
Top categories
Moisturizers
Cleansers
Makeup
Position Predominant list placement
Top 25%

References

CosIng Data

CosIng ID 79070
INCI Name STEARIC ACID
INN Name stearic acid
EC #  200-313-4
All Functions Cleansing, Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Masking, Refatting, Surfactant