Ingredient guide ›

Stearic Acid

A creamy fatty acid.

What it does

Thickens creams, helps oil and water mix and helps cleansers lather.

Good to know

A fatty acid found in many plant and animal fats.

Often found in: Hand creams, Sunscreens, Body lotions

Around the world

• United States: No FDA limit. The FDA doesn't approve cosmetic ingredients before sale. Source
• EU and UK: No special limit in the EU or UK. Source
• Canada: Not on Health Canada's Hotlist of restricted ingredients. Source
• Australia: No limit in Australia's Poisons Standard. Source

Sources

• EFSA: Re-evaluation of fatty acids (E 570) as a food additive (2017) (Independent)
• CIR: Final Report on Oleic, Lauric, Palmitic, Myristic, and Stearic Acid (1987) (Industry-funded)