STEARIC ACID
Official label name (INCI name, EU glossary of cosmetic ingredient names), No 27798
- No specific rule in the Cosmetics Regulation
STEARIC ACID: no specific rule of the EU Cosmetics Regulation names it. It is neither prohibited nor restricted there, and it is on none of its lists of colorants, preservatives or UV filters. Annexes of the Regulation consulted on 21 October 2026.
In plain words
What it is used for
Functions declared by manufacturers:
Cleansing: helps to keep the body surface clean.
Emulsifying (surfactant): promotes the formation of intimate mixtures of non-miscible liquids by altering the interfacial tension.
Emulsion stabilising: helps the process of emulsification and improves emulsion stability and shelf-life.
Fragrance.
Refatting: replenishes the lipids of the hair or of the top layers of the skin.
Cleansing (surfactant): helps to keep the body surface clean.
What the rules say
No EU rule targets this ingredient specifically. It remains subject to the general rule: every product must undergo a safety assessment before it is sold (Article 10 of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009), under the manufacturer's responsibility.
The text of the annexes
No specific rule of the EU Cosmetics Regulation names this ingredient: it is on none of its lists (prohibited, restricted, colorants, preservatives, UV filters). It may be used under the responsibility of the manufacturer, who must ensure the product is safe.
Identity
- CosIng identifier
- 79070
- CAS (according to CosIng)
- 57-11-4
- EC (according to CosIng)
- 200-313-4
- Declared functions
- Cleansing, Surfactant: emulsifying, Emulsion stabilising, Fragrance, Refatting, Surfactant: cleansing
- Wikidata
- Q209685
- ECHA InfoCard
- 100.000.285
- InChIKey
- QIQXTHQIDYTFRH-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Elsewhere in the world
Information on other jurisdictions, with no effect on sale in France. What is covered, and what is not yet.
United Kingdom (Great Britain)
- No specific rule in the Cosmetics Regulation
Switzerland
Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 applies in Switzerland (Article 54 of the Ordinance on Foodstuffs and Utility Articles).
United States, federal rules
None of the integrated sections of the federal code (21 CFR 700.11 to 700.27 and 250.250) targets this name. The FDA does not publish a list of allowed ingredients.
Recorded cosmetics that contain it
1,152 recorded products list it, according to Open Beauty Facts contributors. Records are dated: the formula may have changed. See the list (in French).
Glossary: Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/1175. Page updated on 21 October 2026.