Sodium Stearate
AKA: 822-16-2, Sodium octadecanoate, Octadecanoic acid, Sodium salt, Flexichem B, Stearic acid, Prodhygine, Bonderlube 235, Edenor FHTI, Nonsoul sn 15
Plant-Derived
Cleanser
Emulsifier
Plant Oil
Clean
Sodium Stearate is a cosmetic ingredient used as cleansing, surfactant - cleansing, surfactant - emulsifying, viscosity controlling. Rated low hazard by EWG.
Solubility SLOWLY SOL IN COLD WATER OR COLD ALC; FREELY SOL IN HOT SOLVENTS
Formula
C18H35NaO2
Mol. Weight
306.50
CAS #
822-16-2
Functions
Cleansing
Makes oil and water mix so dirt, makeup, and sunscreen can actually be washed away. The reason your face wash foams.
Cleansing
Makes oil and water mix so dirt, makeup, and sunscreen can actually be washed away. The reason your face wash foams.
Emulsifying
Forces oil and water to stay mixed instead of separating into layers. The unsung hero holding your lotion together.
Viscosity Controlling
Removes Impurities
Cleansing Surfactant
Emulsifier
Controls Viscosity
Traditional Use
Traditional soap ingredient produced by saponifying animal fats with alkali, a practice dating back to ancient Babylon (2800 BC). Widely used as a primary cleansing agent in bar soaps and cosmetics since the development of industrial soap-making in the 18th-19th centuries.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewed1 paper →
⚖️Regulatory1 listing →
🛡️Safety-assessed2 reviews →
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR