What it is
Potassium Stearate is a soap formed from stearic acid and potassium hydroxide. In formulations it functions as an emulsifier and surfactant, helping to blend oil and water phases and to stabilize emulsions, and it can contribute to cleansing and texture. It is commonly generated in situ when stearic acid is neutralized in a cream base.
Safety & warnings
As a fatty-acid soap, potassium stearate is widely used and generally well tolerated. Like other soaps it is mildly alkaline, so high levels in rinse-off or leave-on products can be drying for some users.
Origin & sourcing
Can be natural-derived or synthetic. The stearic acid portion is typically sourced from vegetable or animal fats and is then reacted with a potassium base to form the salt.
Questions everyone asks
What does potassium stearate do in a formula?
It works as an emulsifier and surfactant, helping oil and water mix and stabilize, and it can aid cleansing and adjust texture.
Is it a kind of soap?
Yes, it is the potassium salt of stearic acid, which makes it a fatty-acid soap used to emulsify and stabilize products.