Stearic Acid
Stearic Acid
Cosmetic Grade Vegetable-Derived Stearic Acid, Multi-purpose thickener, co-emulsifier & structuring agent for cream, lotion, bar soap, lip balm, stick cosmetic & hair care formulationsProduct Specification
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
Product Name |
Stearic Acid |
INCI Name |
Stearic Acid |
CAS No. |
57-11-4 |
Appearance |
White to off-white glossy waxy flakes / beads |
Source |
Refined vegetable-source palm oil hydrolysis & fractionation |
Melting Point |
54℃-71℃ |
Solubility |
Oil-soluble, insoluble in water; soluble in hot ethanol, oils & fats |
Recommended Dosage |
1%-30% depends on cosmetic formulation type |
MOQ |
1kg |
Shelf Life |
24 months under sealed cool-dry storage |
Grade |
Cosmetic Refined Grade |
What Is Stearic Acid?
Stearic Acid (Octadecanoic Acid, C18 saturated fatty acid) is a widely-used cosmetic raw material refined from natural vegetable palm oil. It exists naturally in shea butter, mango butter, cocoa butter and many plant oils. It appears as white waxy flakes at room temperature, must be fully melted in oil phase during production.
When neutralized with alkali such as triethanolamine, stearic acid generates stearate salt, acting as powerful co-emulsifier to stabilize oil-water emulsion systems. Without neutralization, it works as structuring agent, thickener and occlusive emollient, improving product hardness, cream texture and skin barrier performance.
Different from plant butters, stearic acid is a pure fatty acid focusing on formula structure building rather than direct moisturizing. It brings stable cream texture, matte silky skin feel, prevents lotion & cream phase separation, hardens bar soap and stick cosmetics. Aogebio supplies high-purity cosmetic-grade stearic acid in bulk, offering free samples, full qualification documents and global one-stop shipping for cosmetic manufacturers.


Core Advantages Of Our Stearic Acid
Vegetable-Derived & High-Purity Refined
Multiple-stage distillation & pressing process, low impurity, faint neutral odor, stable fatty-acid composition, no strange smell, suitable for fragrance-free and high-grade cosmetic formulas.
Powerful Emulsification & Stabilization Performance
After partial neutralization, forms in-situ stearate emulsifier, greatly improves oil-water emulsion stability, effectively avoids cream/lotion oil-water separation, extends finished-product shelf-life.
Excellent Structuring & Thickening Capacity
Adjusts hardness, viscosity and cream body for creams, lotions, balms, stick cosmetics and bar soap; gives smooth, dense, non-runny texture; prevents stick products softening & deforming under ambient temperature change.
Occlusive Emollient & Skin-Friendly
Forms breathable occlusive film on skin surface, reduces transepidermal water loss, softens skin keratin, delivers silky matte skin feel; cosmetic-grade low-irritation, compatible with most skin-care scenarios within recommended dosage.
Broad Formula Compatibility
Good compatibility with plant butters, natural oils, waxes, fatty alcohols and various cosmetic active substances; adapts to O/W cream, lotion, solid stick, bar soap, shampoo pearl-effect system and many formula types.
Stable Batch Quality & Flexible Supply
Consistent batch-to-batch physical-chemical indicators, fit for large-scale industrial production; support sample testing, small-batch trial order and large-volume bulk customization.
How Stearic Acid Works On Skin & Formulation System
Stearic acid melts completely under oil-phase heating condition. When partially neutralized by alkaline agents, stearic acid converts into stearate soap molecules, serving as co-emulsifier to tightly bind oil and water molecules, building stable emulsion system and preventing stratification.
Free-form stearic acid crystallizes inside formula to build three-dimensional structure, increasing product viscosity and hardness, endowing cream smooth creamy texture. Applied on skin, it creates thin breathable hydrophobic protective film, slowing moisture evaporation, softening skin surface keratin and bringing silky matte touch without heavy greasy residue. In soap formulas, it enhances bar hardness and produces dense stable lather.
Main Functions & Cosmetic Application Fields
Core Efficacy & Functional Benefits
- • Co-emulsifier: Stabilize oil-water emulsion, reduce cream/lotion phase-separation risk
- • Structuring & thickening: Build formula viscosity, adjust hardness for cream, stick products and bar soap
- • Occlusive emollient: Form skin protective film, reduce moisture loss, soften skin texture
- • Soap hardener: Increase bar soap firmness, improve foam density & durability
- • Pearl-gloss agent: Generate delicate pearlescent visual effect in shampoo & shower gel
- • Matte texture modifier: Deliver silky non-greasy matte finish for skincare & makeup
Suitable Cosmetic Formulas
- • Moisturizing face cream, body lotion, vanishing cream & cold cream
- • Bar soap, soap-based cleansing cream, shaving foam
- • Lip balm, deodorant stick, solid cosmetic stick products
- • Hand & foot care cream, balm-type skincare products
- • Pearl-effect shampoo, body wash and hair-care formulas
- • Cream-based makeup: foundation cream, cream blush, eye-shadow base
Formulation Guide: Dosage, Solubility & Matching Tips
Recommended dosage:
- Cream & lotion (O/W emulsion): 1%-5%
- Bar soap & soap-based cleanser: 8%-25%
- Stick cosmetic (lip balm, deodorant stick): 2%-10%
- Pearl-effect shampoo & shower gel:1%-4%
Solubility: Oil-soluble waxy solid, must be added and fully melted in oil-phase at 70-85℃ before emulsification mixing; cannot dissolve in water directly.
Recommended matching ingredients: Cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, shea butter, mango butter, beeswax, jojoba oil, triethanolamine (neutralizing agent).
Formulation Notes:
- Must achieve full melting at 70-85℃; incomplete melting will cause grainy particles inside finished product.
- For emulsion formulas, control neutralization degree with alkali agent to get expected viscosity & skin feel.
- Avoid over-heating above 90℃ for long-time, to prevent discoloration & odor deterioration.
- Cool slowly after emulsification to obtain uniform, stable cream texture.
- Seal and store under cool dry environment, avoid high-temperature storage to prevent caking.


Packaging, MOQ & Global Shipping Details
- Sample package: 10g, 50g, 100g free testing samples (sealed aluminum foil bag)
- Small bulk: 1kg / 5kg sealed moisture-proof aluminum foil bag
- Large bulk: 25kg moisture-proof kraft paper bag with inner PE liner
- MOQ: 1kg
- Shipping: Global door-to-door shipping, support DHL, FedEx, air freight and sea freight
- Lead time: 3-7 working days for samples; 7-15 working days for bulk orders
- Custom service: Custom packaging and private label service for large-volume orders
Storage & Shelf Life Standard
Storage Conditions
Store in cool, dry, dark and well-ventilated warehouse, keep tightly sealed and moisture-proof. Storage temperature ≤30℃, stay away from heat source, direct sunlight and oxidizing substances, avoid high-temperature softening, caking and yellowing deterioration.
Standard Shelf Life
24 months under standard sealed cool-dry storage conditions.
Certifications & Compliance Documents (COA, MSDS, TDS)
Our cosmetic-grade Stearic Acid meets global cosmetic raw-material safety standards:
- EU CosIng database registered cosmetic ingredient
- ISO22716 & GMP cosmetic production system certification
- Each batch comes with complete COA, MSDS, TDS technical documents
- Support third-party professional testing and verification
We provide stable high-quality vegetable-source stearic acid raw-materials for global daily-chemical and cosmetic manufacturers.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Q1: What is the difference between Stearic Acid and Shea / Mango Butter?
-
Q2: Is stearic acid comedogenic? Will it clog pores?
A: Cosmetic-grade refined stearic acid has low comedogenic rating. Within recommended adding dosage for emulsion formulas, it is safe for normal, dry and combination skin. Excessive dosage may bring heavy texture feeling; oily-skin oriented formulas should control dosage below 3%. -
Q3: Must I neutralize stearic acid with alkali in my formula?
-
Q4: What is your minimum order quantity and sample policy?
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WhatsApp: 0086-18091843361
Official Website: www.aogebio.com
Factory Address: Xi'an, Shaanxi, China







