Stearic Acid helps to harden products, such as candles and soap bars, helping the latter to create a rich lather that feels velvety. This property makes it ideal for use in shaving foams. With occlusive properties, it helps the skin remain hydrated by preventing or slowing moisture loss from the skin's surface.

What is bad about stearic acid?

Saturated fatty acids in general, and palmitic acid (C16:0) in particular, are harmful in part because they elevate LDL cholesterol and atherosclerosis risk⁷. Dietary stearic acid (C18:0), however, does not increase atherosclerosis risk, and, if anything, actually reduces LDL cholesterol⁷–¹⁰.

Is stearic acid good or bad?

Stearic acid is considered a healthy saturated fat and does not appear to raise your risk of heart disease. This held true even in a 40-day study in people whose stearic acid intake constituted up to 11% of their total calorie intake ( 9 ).