12-Hydroxystearic acid
AKA “12-HYDROXYOCTADECANOIC ACID, 106-14-9, DL-12-Hydroxystearic acid, Cerit Fac 3, Hydrofol acid 200, Ceroxin GL, Barolub FTO, Stearic acid, 12-hydroxy-, Loxiol G 21
Acid
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Ingredient Facts
12-hydroxystearic acid
AKA: 12-HYDROXYOCTADECANOIC ACID, 106-14-9, DL-12-Hydroxystearic acid, Cerit Fac 3, Hydrofol acid 200, Ceroxin GL, Barolub FTO, 12-hydroxy-, Loxiol G 21
Acid · Skin Conditioning
Plant-Derived
Skin Conditioner
Acid
Not Clean
12-hydroxyoctadecanoic acid is a hydroxy fatty acid that is stearic acid bearing a hydroxy substituent at position 12. It has a role as a plant metabolite and a bacterial xenobiotic metabolite. It is a hydroxyoctadecanoic acid and a secondary alcohol. It is a conjugate acid of a 12-hydroxyoctadecanoate.
Solubility Soluble in alcohol, ether, chloroform; insoluble in water
Mol. Weight
300.50
See origin →
Functions
Skin Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Amended Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Hydroxystearic Acid
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Isostearic Acid
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Oleic Acid, Lauric Acid, Palmitic Acid, Myristic Acid, and Stearic Acid
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Final Report: Safety Assessment of Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Poly(3-Hydroxyoctanoic Acid, and Polylactic Acid as Used in Cosmetics
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Re-evaluation: Safety Assessment of Hydroxystearic Acid as Used in Cosmetics
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
10-Hydroxystearic Acid
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Stearic Acid
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Hydroxystearic Acid
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Isostearic Acid
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Stearic Acid
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Simultaneous contact sensitivity to hydroxystearic acid and C18-36 acid triglyceride in lip glosses.
Kimura M, Kawada A, Ogino M, Murayama Y
Contact dermatitis, 2002
Microemulsions based on TPGS and isostearic acid for imiquimod formulation and skin delivery.
Pescina S, Garrastazu G, Del Favero E, Rondelli V, Cantù L et al.
European journal of pharmaceutical sciences : official journal of the European Federation for Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2018
Bio-derived hydroxystearic acid ameliorates skin age spots and conspicuous pores.
Schütz R, Rawlings AV, Wandeler E, Jackson E, Trevisan S et al.
International journal of cosmetic science, 2019
Bio-derived hydroxystearic acid ameliorates skin age spots and conspicuous pores.
Schütz R, Rawlings AV, Wandeler E, Jackson E, Trevisan S et al.
International journal of cosmetic science, 2019
Bio-derived hydroxystearic acid ameliorates skin age spots and conspicuous pores.
Schütz R, Rawlings AV, Wandeler E, Jackson E, Trevisan S et al.
International journal of cosmetic science, 2019
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng