- Comedogenic
- 2 / 5
- Irritancy
- 0 / 5
- Fungal acne
- Trigger
- Type
- Fatty acid
- INCI name
- Stearic Acid
- Also listed as
- Octadecanoic Acid
Who should avoid it?
Suitable for most skin types. If you are very acne-prone, check where it sits in the ingredient list: the lower, the better.
Products that contain Stearic Acid
- CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 Face Lotion
- COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream
- The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA
- PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash Benzoyl Peroxide 10%
- Round Lab Soybean Nourishing Cream
- SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Soothing Cream
Fungal-acne safe ingredients list
Print the pore-clogging and fungal-acne cheat sheet →
Frequently asked questions
Is Stearic Acid comedogenic?
Mildly, so most people are fine. Stearic Acid has a comedogenic rating of 2 out of 5. A fatty acid used to thicken creams and cleansers.
Is Stearic Acid safe for fungal acne?
No. Stearic Acid can feed Malassezia yeast, so people with fungal acne usually avoid it.
Does Stearic Acid cause acne?
It is unlikely to. Breakouts usually come from other ingredients in the formula, or from non-cosmetic causes.
What are other names for Stearic Acid?
On labels it can also appear as Octadecanoic Acid.