A saturated fatty acid found in vegetable butter and animal fats. It is an occlusive moisturizing and emollient ingredient and also helps to maintain the barrier function of the skin.
Moisturizing
Occlusive
Moisturizing (Occlusive)
Occlusives are moisturizing ingredients that seal moisture into the skin, forming a water-resistant barrier.
Occlusive
Moisturizing (Occlusive)
Occlusives are moisturizing ingredients that seal moisture into the skin, forming a water-resistant barrier.
Other functions
Barrier Repair,
Barrier Repair
Barrier repair ingredients help to restore the healthy function of the skin’s lipid barrier.
Barrier Repair,
Barrier Repair
Barrier repair ingredients help to restore the healthy function of the skin’s lipid barrier.
Emollient,
Emollient
Emollients fill the micro-cracks in the skin and leave it feeling soft and pleasant to the touch. Emollients are often mistakenly perceived as moisturizing ingredients.
Emollient,
Emollient
Emollients fill the micro-cracks in the skin and leave it feeling soft and pleasant to the touch. Emollients are often mistakenly perceived as moisturizing ingredients.
Cleansing,
Cleansing
Cleansing ingredients, also known as surfactants, clear dirt and buildup from the skin.
Cleansing,
Cleansing
Cleansing ingredients, also known as surfactants, clear dirt and buildup from the skin.
Fragrance,
Fragrance
Fragrance ingredients add scent to a product or hide ('mask') the undesired aroma of other ingredients.
Fragrance,
Fragrance
Fragrance ingredients add scent to a product or hide ('mask') the undesired aroma of other ingredients.
Emulsifying,
Emulsifying
Emulsifying – helps to mix water and oil together.
Emulsifying,
Emulsifying
Emulsifying – helps to mix water and oil together.
Emulsion Stabilizing
Emulsion Stabilizing
Emulsion stabilizing – increases the stability of a formula.
Emulsion Stabilizing
Emulsion Stabilizing
Emulsion stabilizing – increases the stability of a formula.
Origin
Botanical,
Botanical
Ingredients derived from plants, mosses, and lichens: extracts, oils, powders, juices and other types of processed plant materials.
Botanical,
Botanical
Ingredients derived from plants, mosses, and lichens: extracts, oils, powders, juices and other types of processed plant materials.
Synthetic,
Synthetic
All kinds of ingredients formulated or produced by a chemical process, or those that have a chemical modification in their structure.
Synthetic,
Synthetic
All kinds of ingredients formulated or produced by a chemical process, or those that have a chemical modification in their structure.
Animal
Animal
Ingredients derived from animals (including birds, fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and insects) or produced by animals (e.g. dairy- and egg-derived ingredients, bee products, silk, pearls, etc.)
Animal
Animal
Ingredients derived from animals (including birds, fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and insects) or produced by animals (e.g. dairy- and egg-derived ingredients, bee products, silk, pearls, etc.)
Stearic acid is a fatty acid, meaning that it is an acid with a long, oil-soluble tail. It is specifically a saturated fatty acid, which means that its oil-soluble tail only contains single bonds. It is a waxy-looking white solid.
Stearic acid in skincare products helps to maintain the barrier function of the skin, prevents transepidermal water loss, is moisturizing (occlusive), and is an emollient. Since it is a saturated fatty acid, it is strongly occlusive, and in big quantities may not be suitable for very oily or acne-prone skin.
The best source of stearic acid is various kinds of vegetable butter, notably cocoa and shea butter, and animal fats, such as lard or tallow. Stearic acid is mostly used in the production of soap.
It is also emulsifying, meaning that it helps water to mix with oil in a skincare product. It feels very heavy and draggy and is therefore usually used together with other emulsifiers.
Science
1
Yang, M., Zhou, M., Jia, Y., He, C., & Song, L. (2020). A review of fatty acids influencing skin condition. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.
Occlusive
