Stearic acid

Stearic acid is a saturated fatty acid, one of the most common fatty acids in nature. It is part of lipids in the form of glycerides, primarily triglycerides (fats) of animal origin, is also part of most animal fats and, in smaller amounts, many vegetable oils. The main industrial method of obtaining stearic acid is its extraction from stearin, a product of fat hydrolysis in soap production.

• Stearic acid is a component of pharmaceuticals; it is used as a component of greases.
• In cosmetics, stearic acid is used as a mixture stabilizer and emulsifier in the manufacture of cosmetic creams and lotions, and in soaping as a thickener, making soap hard and matte. Stearic acid salt, which has good detergent properties, is often used in soap production.
• Stearic acid is used in food industry as a food additive - emulsifier, foam stabilizer, glazer and foam extinguisher with index "E570 Fatty acids". Stearic acid is also used in the production of candles and rubber (to make it more malleable and homogeneous), lubricating greases and in the production of stearin (usually in mixtures with palmitic and/or oleic acids).