Stearic Acid

Stearic Acid molecular structurePubChem

5+ year old children • Skin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Is this kid-friendly to use Stearic Acid?

✅
YES - Generally Safe
Danger Score: 1 (Lower is safer)
Quick Answer: Stearic Acid is generally considered safe for 5+ year old children when used in topical products. Kids may have different tolerance levels.

ℹ️General Overview

Stearic acid is generally safe for kids aged 5 and up when used on the skin. It helps creams and wipes hold together and usually does not cause serious problems.

✅What to Do

Use products formulated for children or sensitive skin when possible. Apply to intact (unbroken) skin only. If trying a new product, do a small patch test on the inner forearm and wait 24 hours to check for redness or rash. Stop use and wash the area if your child gets irritation. Prefer products without added strong fragrances if your child has sensitive skin.

⚠️Warnings

Watch for skin irritation or rash and stop use if these occur. Be mindful that stearic acid can appear in many products and foods, so consider total exposure from multiple products (this is noted by government and safety-review sources). Safety panels also note gaps around concentration limits in products, so avoid using many products containing the same ingredient at once. One government source flagged possible environmental harm, so rinse-off products may be preferable to reduce environmental impact. Sources for these cautions include government reviews and industry safety panels (for example: FDA notes food uses, Cosmetic Ingredient Review notes concentration guidance, Environment Canada and EPA assessments).

Confidence: HIGH

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Safety Risk Labels

This ingredient has the following documented risks:

Environmental: A national environmental agency (Environment Canada) lists stearic acid as a suspected environmental toxin. That means it may harm aquatic life or ecosystems if released into the environment, so there is a real ecological risk to consider.
Long-Term Risk: Industry review panels and regulators note gaps in the safety data and that safety conclusions rely on reported maximum use concentrations rather than complete long-term studies (noted by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review and related regulatory comments). The U.S. food regulator also describes it as used in food with limited toxicity information. These data gaps mean there is some uncertainty about effects from repeated, long-term exposure.

Tap or hover over labels to see detailed risk information.

Alternative Names for Stearic Acid

This ingredient may also be listed as:

stearic acidSTEARIC ACID, SAJ FIRST GRADE, >=90.0%BB 0268543I727STEARIC ACID, PURISS., >=98.5% (GC)STEARIC ACID, PHARMACEUTICAL SECONDARY STANDARD; CERTIFIED REFERENCE MATERIALUNII-79P21R4317 COMPONENT QIQXTHQIDYTFRH-UHFFFAOYSA-NSTEARIC ACID, EUROPEAN PHARMACOPOEIA (EP) REFERENCE STANDARDCD7993EA-AD14-452A-A907-33376CC98790STEARIC ACID, UNITED STATES PHARMACOPEIA (USP) REFERENCE STANDARDUNII-X33R8U0062 COMPONENT QIQXTHQIDYTFRH-UHFFFAOYSA-N

Always check ingredient labels carefully, as ingredients may be listed under different names.

Products Containing Stearic Acid

This ingredient is found in the following products:

This list shows products that contain Stearic Acid or its alternative names.

Common Questions About Stearic Acid

Is this kid-friendly to use Stearic Acid?

Yes, Stearic Acid is generally considered safe for 5+ year old children based on current research.

What are the environmental risks of Stearic Acid for children?

Possible negative effects on the environment

What are the long-term risk risks of Stearic Acid for children?

Linked to long-term health effects after years of use or exposure.

What products contain Stearic Acid?

Stearic Acid is commonly found in skincare products, cosmetics, and topical applications. Always check ingredient labels before use.

When can kids start using products with Stearic Acid?

The appropriate age depends on the specific ingredient properties and concentration. This analysis is for 5+ year old children. Use the age selector above to check other ages.

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