What it is
Aluminum distearate is a metallic soap formed from aluminum and two equivalents of stearic acid. It is poorly soluble and is used mainly as a gelling and thickening agent for anhydrous and oil-rich systems, where it builds structure and keeps pigments and fillers evenly suspended. In powder bases and creams it also improves texture and helps coat particles for smoother application.
Safety & warnings
Aluminum stearate soaps have a long record of use in cosmetics and are generally considered well tolerated and non-irritating in normal use. As a stearate-based ingredient it is not a recognized fragrance allergen.
Origin & sourcing
Synthetic, derived from stearic acid, a fatty acid that may be sourced from vegetable or animal fats, neutralized with an aluminum compound.
Questions everyone asks
What is aluminum distearate used for?
It is a metallic soap used to thicken and gel oil phases and to keep pigments and powders evenly suspended in the formula.
Where does the stearic acid come from?
Stearic acid is a fatty acid that can be derived from plant or animal fats; here it is combined with an aluminum compound to form the salt.