| Customization: | Available |
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| Packaging Material: | Plastic |
| Storage Method: | Normal |
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Stearic acid, one of the most common long-chain fatty acids, found in combined form in natural animal and vegetable fats. Commercial "stearic acid" is a mixture of approximately equal amounts of stearic and palmitic acids and small amounts of oleic acid. It is employed in the manufacture of candles, cosmetics, shaving soaps, lubricants, and pharmaceuticals.
In nature stearic acid occurs primarily as a mixed triglyceride, or fat, with other long-chain acids and as an ester of a fatty alcohol. It is much more abundant in animal fat than in vegetable fat; lard and tallow often contain up to 30 percent stearic acid.
Alkaline hydrolysis, or saponification, of fats yields soaps, which are the sodium or potassium salts of fatty acids; pure stearic acid is obtained with difficulty from such a mixture by crystallization, vacuum distillation, or chromatography of the acids or suitable derivatives. The pure acid undergoes chemical reactions typical of carboxylic acids. It is a colourless, waxy solid that is almost insoluble in water.
Stearic acid is a form of emollient that is quite effective in moisturizing and hydrating the skin. It protects the skin by forming a moisture barrier from moisture loss and keeps it hydrated for longer. It is especially beneficial for people with dry skin, as it effectively retains the skin's natural moisture.
Also, it helps in enhancing overall skin hydration levels, making the skin smoother & supple and reducing roughness and dryness. Also, it improves the skin's elasticity and makes it less prone to wrinkles and fine lines.
Stearic acid is found in various animal and plant fats, and is one of the many useful types of saturated fatty acids that occurs naturally in various plants and animal derivatives. When used in cosmetic products, stearic acid primarily fulfills the role of a thickener or hardener. Stearic acid has an eighteen carbon chain and is considered a long-chain fatty acid.
Stearic acid is mainly used in the production of detergents, soaps, and cosmetics such as shampoos and shaving cream products. It also helps objects such as bars of soap, candles, oil pastels and hard candies retain their shapes. Soaps are not made directly from stearic acid, but indirectly by saponification of triglycerides consisting of stearic acid esters, which produce a pearly effect in shampoos, soaps, and other cosmetic products. Unlike many fatty acids, stearic acids can have either animal or vegetable origins.
With the growing trend of consumers for products to be responsibly sourced, naturally based, organic and/or vegan, producers of personal care products, such as soap and laundry detergent are exploring the ability to utilize vegetable based products in their applications.
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