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Stearic Acid

What Stearic Acid is & what it does

A fatty acid used to thicken creams and, with a base, form part of the emulsifier system, giving body and a smooth, slightly powdery feel. It also conditions skin.

What does Stearic Acid do in skincare?

Stearic acid is a fatty acid that acts as an emollient and emulsion stabiliser: it thickens creams, gives them a soft, cushiony feel, and helps keep oil and water blended. It occurs naturally in many plant and animal fats.

Is Stearic Acid safe?

Yes. It is well tolerated and considered safe and non-irritating in cosmetics.

Does Stearic Acid clog pores?

It is rated low-to-moderate on the comedogenic scale and is fine for most people, but very breakout-prone skin may prefer lighter, oil-free textures.

Is Stearic Acid natural?

Yes, in origin: stearic acid is a fatty acid found in many plant and animal fats (shea and cocoa butter are rich in it), and cosmetic grade is typically plant-derived. It also occurs naturally in your skin's surface lipids.

Is Stearic Acid safe to use during pregnancy?

Stearic acid has no known pregnancy concern. It is a fatty acid found in many natural fats and in your own skin, used here to thicken and stabilise the formula.

Sunscreens with Stearic Acid

We rate 1859 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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