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Mg Stearate+

What Mg Stearate+ is & what it does

Mg Stearate+ is the magnesium salt of stearic acid, a soft, fine white powder. In cosmetics it works as a bulking and anti-caking agent that also lends a smooth, silky slip, which is why it is common in mineral makeup, powders, and tinted SPF products. It helps the powder phase stay loose and spread evenly, and gives a soft, dry feel on the skin.

What is Mg Stearate+ and what does it do in sunscreen?

Mg Stearate+ is magnesium stearate, the magnesium salt of the fatty acid stearic acid, used as a soft powder ingredient. In a sunscreen, especially a powder, mineral makeup, or tinted SPF, it acts as a bulking and anti-caking agent and adds a smooth, silky slip. It helps the formula spread evenly and feel soft and dry rather than greasy.

Is Mg Stearate+ safe?

Yes. Magnesium stearate is a long-established, well-tolerated ingredient, also widely used in foods and tablets as a flow agent, and it stays on the surface of the skin. It is considered non-irritating at the levels used in cosmetics. There is no meaningful safety concern from it in a topical product.

Does Mg Stearate+ clog pores?

Generally no. Although it is derived from a fatty acid, the magnesium salt is a dry powder rather than an oil, and it is widely used in powders and mineral makeup without being a notable pore-clogging culprit. As with any powder, very acne-prone skin can occasionally react, but it is not a major comedogenic flag in a well-formulated product.

Is Mg Stearate+ vegan?

It can be, depending on the source of the stearic acid. The stearic acid in magnesium stearate is often plant-derived, for example from vegetable oils, in which case it is vegan, but it can also come from animal fat. If this matters to you, look for a product that states the magnesium stearate is plant-derived or vegan.

What is Mg Stearate+ on an ingredient list (INCI)?

On a label this is the magnesium salt of stearic acid, usually printed as "Magnesium Stearate". It sits among the powders and texture agents, often in mineral or powder-based formulas. It is a different ingredient from plain stearic acid or from glyceryl stearate, even though the names look similar.

Sunscreens with Mg Stearate+

We rate 92 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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