STEARIC ACID

📋 Quick facts

Description: STEARIC ACID — fatty acid, emulsion stabilizer, thickener.

All Functions: fatty acid, emulsion stabilizer, thickener

Quick Facts:

• Category: emollient
• Also Known As: acide stéarique, ácido esteárico

Proven Benefits At A Glance:

• Stearic acid is a fatty acid that can be chemically modified to create water-repellent surfaces
• In research settings, stearic acid has been used to make materials less absorbent of water
• The sources don’t support antimicrobial or skin-specific benefits for stearic acid on its own
• Stearic acid is used in lab studies as a component of delivery systems and coatings, not as a skincare ingredient per se

⚗️ Chemical Overview

Stearic acid is a white solid with a mild odor. Floats on water. (USCG, 1999) Octadecanoic acid is a C18 straight-chain saturated fatty acid component of many animal and vegetable lipids. As well as in the diet, it is used in hardening soaps, softening plastics and in making cosmetics, candles and plastics. It has a role as a plant metabolite, a human metabolite, a Daphnia magna metabolite and an algal metabolite. It is a long-chain fatty acid, a saturated fatty acid and a straight-chain saturated fatty acid. It is a conjugate acid of an octadecanoate. It derives from a hydride of an octadecane. The CIR Expert Panel concluded that the following ingredients are safe in the present practices of use andconcentration described in the safety assessment when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing, which may be basedon a QRA…Stearic Acid…

Source(s): ChEBI, Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR), CAMEO Chemicals, via PubChem

📊 Comedogenicity

🛡️ Safety rating

Safety tier is a starting heuristic from regulatory status and comedogenic rating, not a dermatological verdict — see our Terms for the full disclaimer. Research confidence reflects how many real cited studies back this ingredient, not the strength of their findings.

🌍 Regulatory Status

💧 Skin Type Compatibility

⚠️ Don’t Combine With

📚 Research & Evidence

🔬 The Science

The available research on stearic acid focuses on materials science and drug delivery rather than direct skincare applications, so claims should be understood as limited. #1: Water resistance: Stearic acid can be incorporated into materials to reduce their ability to absorb water. In one study, modifying bacterial cellulose with stearic acid (combined with apple powder) increased the water contact angle from 38° to 125°, indicating a shift toward water-repellent properties (Int J Mol Sci, 2024). Similarly, chitosan films modified with stearic acid and zinc oxide nanoparticles achieved a water contact angle of 156°, described as “superhydrophobic” (Int J Biol Macromol, 2023).

These changes occur because stearic acid alters how water interacts with material surfaces. #2: Formulation ingredient: Stearic acid serves as a “solid lipid” component in nanoparticle systems designed for topical drug delivery. One study used stearic acid paired with oleic acid to create tiny spheres (150–300 nanometers) that could carry and slowly release pharmaceutical compounds through skin (Bioengineering (Basel), 2022). #3: No demonstrated skin benefits on its own: None of the sources provide evidence that stearic acid alone has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, or other skincare benefits. One study explicitly tested modified materials containing stearic acid and found no antimicrobial activity against common bacteria or fungi (Int J Mol Sci, 2024).

The research is focused on stearic acid’s chemical properties—particularly its ability to reduce water absorption—rather than skincare efficacy.

📄 Related Research

Matched by search — not necessarily verified support for every statement above.

• Bryszewska MA et al. (2024). SCOBY Cellulose-Based Materials Hydrophobized Using Stearic Acid and Apple Powder. Int J Mol Sci.
• Noor NM et al. (2022). Engineered Dutasteride-Lipid Based Nanoparticle (DST-LNP) System Using Oleic and Stearic Acid for Topical Delivery. Bioengineering (Basel).
• Meng S et al. (2019). Chemoenzymatic Synthesis of Fragrance Compounds from Stearic Acid. Chembiochem.
• Yu M et al. (2023). ZnO nanoparticles coated and stearic acid modified superhydrophobic chitosan film for self-cleaning and oil-water separation. Int J Biol Macromol.
• Zhang J et al. (2023). Combining Chitosan, Stearic Acid, and (Cu-, Zn-) MOFs to Prepare Robust Superhydrophobic Coatings with Biomedical Multifunctionalities. Adv Healthc Mater.

🧴 Products Containing STEARIC ACID

• nivea nivea cream
• Nivea Body Beruhigende After Shave Creme for women, Mit Panthenol
• Nivéa Nivea soft
• BRYNILD GRUPPEN AS Nivea Men Body & Face Cream 150ml
• Nivea Nivea lait démaquillant
• unilever, dove DermaSpa Nutri Essence³
• CONAXESS TRADE NORGE AS Brillance Hårfarge 872 Intense Red
• Henkel, Göt2b got2b kleber spiking wax
• Henkel, Schwarzkopf 3 Wetter Taft Power Wax
• Henkel, Göt2b Matt-Paste Strand Matte
• Always, Procter & Gamble Night Always sensitive
• Lavera Crème hydratante
• eco cosmetics Summer Lips
• Glynt Derma Shampoo
• Daytox Daytox Cleansing Foam
• ARTDECO, ARTDECO cosmetic GmbH Body Camouflage
• alverde Naturkosmetik Skin Food Körperbutter
• Lacura Fußbalsam – Oliven- & Rosmarinöl
• unilever, dove DOVE Crème Hydratante Corps Soie Pot 300ml
• Seba Med Seifenfreies Waschstück
• BRYNILD GRUPPEN AS Nivea Roll-On Magnesium 50ml
• Essence Essence I Love Extreme 01 Black Volume Mascara
• Panda Baby Rathmal Baby Sope with Ixora Coccinea Flower Extract
• baby lotion
• inecto naturals
• Calypso facial protection
• levia collagen and milk body lotion
• Roots of strength body shop
• Facetheory Glow-C Cream Cleanser
• Biosolis Lait solaire Baby & Kids SPF 50+
• Glower Glicerina Sabonete Mel
• Fragonard Crème antirides pour le visage Vrai
• Nacomï White Black Face Mask
• quiz lip balm strawberry aloe shea butter
• LoveBar Shampoo Bar Detox & Sebum control
• Dr Reddy’s Dr Reddy’s Venusia Derm
• Ponds
• Crema de masajes
• Carmex Carmex minis
• atrix