Emollient

Stearic Acid

Classic fatty acid from coconut and palm — one of the oldest cosmetic ingredients. Stearic Acid provides creams with a dense texture, softens the skin, and is a natural building material for the skin's own lipid barrier.

fatty acidC18softeningbarrier

⚠ Use with Caution

Comedogenic Rating

2/5

Irritation Potential

0/5

What is it?

Stearic Acid (octadecanoic acid, C18:0) — saturated fatty acid. Obtained from coconut or palm oil (plant) or animal fats. A natural component of the skin's sebum and the lipid barrier of the stratum corneum. Functions: emulsifier (in the form of salts — stearates), thickener, emollient. In INCI: Stearic Acid.

Basic fatty acid in cream soaps, lotions, and body masks. Often paired with cetearyl alcohol and glyceryl stearate in classic O/W creams.

Key Benefits

✦

Natural component of the lipid barrier

Stearic acid — a component of ceramide 2, a key ceramide of the stratum corneum. Topical application replenishes the skin's lipid reserve and strengthens barrier function.

◈

Softening and protective film

Forms an occlusive film on the skin's surface, reducing TEWL and providing a pleasant soft feeling after applying the cream.

✧

Emulsifying and thickening action

Upon neutralization with alkali (NaOH, TEA), it forms stearates — effective soap-like emulsifiers. By itself — a solid thickener and texturizer for creams.

Suitable for

for all skin typesfor dry skin

Main Actions

✓ softening✓ barrier restoration✓ occlusion✓ thickening✓ emulsifying (as stearate)

Palmitic vs Stearic vs Oleic

Stearic (C18:0, saturated) — solid, stable, emollient, and barrier. Palmitic (C16:0, saturated) — similar, lighter. Oleic (C18:1, unsaturated) — liquid, penetrates faster, less stable. Together they form the natural fat profile of the skin.

CategoryEmollients

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