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Stearalkonium Hectorite

What Stearalkonium Hectorite is & what it does

A modified clay used to thicken oil phases and keep pigments and filters evenly suspended. It supports stable, smooth formulas.

What is Stearalkonium Hectorite and what does it do in sunscreen?

Stearalkonium Hectorite is a thickener made from hectorite, a natural clay that has been modified to work in oil. In a sunscreen it thickens the oil phase and keeps pigments and UV filters evenly suspended, so the product stays smooth and does not separate. This is especially useful in tinted and mineral formulas where powders need to stay in place.

Is Stearalkonium Hectorite safe?

Yes. It is a modified clay used at low levels purely to give a formula its texture, and it is well tolerated in cosmetic use. It works on the surface and is not associated with irritation for most people.

Does Stearalkonium Hectorite clog pores?

Generally no. It is a clay-based thickener used in small amounts to structure the formula, not a heavy oil or wax. It is not considered a notable pore-clogging ingredient.

Is Stearalkonium Hectorite a clay?

Yes. It starts from hectorite, a soft natural clay, which is then surface-treated so it can swell and thicken oils rather than water. That modification is what lets it hold pigments and mineral filters evenly in a sunscreen.

What does Stearalkonium Hectorite do for tinted or mineral sunscreens?

It keeps the color pigments and mineral UV filters suspended and evenly distributed. Without a suspending agent like this, heavy powders can sink or clump, leaving streaky color or uneven protection. It helps a tinted or mineral sunscreen stay consistent from the first pump to the last.

Sunscreens with Stearalkonium Hectorite

We rate 115 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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