The calcium salt of stearic acid, used as an anticaking agent, colorant and thickener and regulated in Annex IV.
What it is
Calcium stearate is calcium distearate, the calcium salt of stearic acid, a saturated C18 fatty acid; it is a white, water-insoluble powder (a metallic soap). CosIng lists it as an anticaking, colorant, emulsion-stabilising and viscosity-controlling ingredient. In the EU it is covered by an entry in Annex IV (colorants).
Where it is used
Appears on the ingredient lists of a small number of products, such as powders and other makeup.
Limits of interpretation
The INCI list shows which ingredients are present, not how much of each. Above 1%, ingredients are listed in descending order of weight; below 1% the order is free.
See the EU regulation section for the applicable conditions. The INCI name does not show whether the stearic acid is of plant or animal origin.
Functions
- Anticaking
- Preventing agglomeration of particulate solids into lumps or hard masses (cohesive cake), thus allowing free flow of particles.
- Colorant
- Exclusively or mainly intended to colour the cosmetic product, the body as a whole or certain parts thereof, by absorption or reflection of visible light; (precursors of oxidative hair colorants shall be deemed colorants). All authorised colorants are substances in the positive list of Annex IV to the Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009.
- Emulsion stabilising
- Helping the process of emulsification and improving emulsion stability and shelf-life.
- Viscosity controlling
- Increasing or decreasing the viscosity (thickness) of cosmetics.
EU regulation
- As of
- 3 November 2026 · (EC) 2009/1223