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Zinc Stearate
AKA “Zinc octadecanoate, Zinc distearate, Zn Stearate, Octadecanoic acid, zinc salt, Metallac, Hydense, Hytech”
Synthetic
Ingredient Facts
Zinc stearate
AKA: Zinc octadecanoate, Zinc distearate, Zn Stearate, Octadecanoic acid, Zinc salt, Metallac, Hydense, Hytech
Synthetic · Anticaking · EWG: 2
Plant-Derived Synthetic
Colorant
Synthetic
Clean
A natural mineral powder that helps makeup blend smoothly and prevents clumping, while giving products a silky texture and even color.
Solubility Insoluble (NIOSH, 2024)
Formula
C36H70O4Zn
Mol. Weight
632.30
CAS #
557-05-1
Form
Powder
See origin →
Functions
Anticaking
Colorant
Gives the product its color. Purely aesthetic — makes the formula look good in the jar but does nothing for your skin.
Slip Modifier
Viscosity Controlling
Prevents Clumping
Adds Color
Improves Glide
Controls Viscosity
Fights Bacteria
Anti-Aging Benefits
Reduces Inflammation
Traditional Use
Developed in the 20th century as a synthetic ingredient. Used in cosmetics as an anti-caking agent and absorbent; historically derived from the combination of zinc oxide and stearic acid (a fatty acid from animal or plant sources).
Skin Types
●all-skin-types, gentle
Best For
General
Melanin-Rich Skin
Suitable
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
EWG
2
CIR
Safe
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
ewg-2
medical-approval
pregnancy-nursing-safe
all-shades-safe
Regulatory Status
USA✔ permitted
EU✔ permitted
JAPAN✔ permitted
CANADA✔ permitted
Final Report: Safety Assessment of Zinc Salts as Used in Cosmetics
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
→
Zinc Stearate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Zinc Stearate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
The Influence of Zinc Oxide and Zinc Stearate on the Antimicrobial Activity of Coatings Containing Raspberry and Chokeberry Extracts.
Mizielińska M, Bartkowiak A
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 2024
→
Safety Assessment of Zinc Salts as Used in Cosmetics.
Scott LN, Fiume M, Zhu J, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2024
→
Safety Assessment of Zinc Salts as Used in Cosmetics.
Scott LN, Fiume M, Zhu J, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2024
→
Safety Assessment of Zinc Salts as Used in Cosmetics.
Scott LN, Fiume M, Zhu J, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2024
→
Safety Assessment of Zinc Salts as Used in Cosmetics.
Scott LN, Fiume M, Zhu J, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2024
→
Safety Assessment of Zinc Salts as Used in Cosmetics.
Scott LN, Fiume M, Zhu J, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2024
→
Safety Assessment of Zinc Salts as Used in Cosmetics.
Scott LN, Fiume M, Zhu J, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2024
→
Safety Assessment of Zinc Salts as Used in Cosmetics.
Scott LN, Fiume M, Zhu J, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2024
→
Safety Assessment of Zinc Salts as Used in Cosmetics.
Scott LN, Fiume M, Zhu J, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2024
→
Safety Assessment of Zinc Salts as Used in Cosmetics.
Scott LN, Fiume M, Zhu J, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2024
→
Safety Assessment of Zinc Salts as Used in Cosmetics.
Scott LN, Fiume M, Zhu J, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2024
→
Safety Assessment of Zinc Salts as Used in Cosmetics.
Scott LN, Fiume M, Zhu J, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2024
→
Safety Assessment of Zinc Salts as Used in Cosmetics.
Scott LN, Fiume M, Zhu J, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2024
→
Verified Feb 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR