stearic acid
noun
stea·ric acid
stē-ˈa-rik- 
stē-ˈer-ik-,
ˈstir-ik-
: a white crystalline fatty acid C18H36O2 obtained by saponifying tallow or other hard fats containing stearin
also
: a commercial mixture of stearic and palmitic acids
Examples of stearic acid in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Furthermore, 12-hydroxy stearic acid, a fatty acid, is featured across the formulas to support the skin barrier.
—
Emily Burns, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
Dermatologists Say Beef Tallow Can Be a Good Moisturizer
The hydration perk comes from its store of fatty acids like stearic acid and oleic acid, which help restore and strengthen the skin barrier and lock in existing moisture, explains dermatologist Hannah Kopelman.
—Kayla Blanton, Outside Online, 24 Dec. 2024
Two types of fatty acids, palmitic and stearic acid, make up more than 90% of the caecilian milk-fat total, per the study.
—Popular Science, 7 Mar. 2024
Key ingredients Titanium dioxide, octisalate, stearic acid Size 1 fl.
—Sam Peters, ELLE, 28 Feb. 2023
The lotion includes hydrating shea butter and jojoba oil, softening stearic acid, and grape seed oil—which one study found helped encourage wound healing in a group of recently-tattooed individuals.
—Sam Peters, ELLE, 16 Feb. 2023
This illustration of stearic acid shows the 18 carbon molecules binding to 36 hydrogen molecules and to two oxygen molecules.
—Heidi Silver, Discover Magazine, 31 Jan. 2019
Two ingredients to look for in a body wash, according to Joshua Zeicher, MD, Director of Cosmetic and Clinical Research, Department of Dermatology at Mount Sinai in New York City, are stearic acid and ceramides.
—Christian Gollayan, Men's Health, 17 Nov. 2022
Emulsifiers: Ingredients such as xanthan gum or stearic acid that prevent a formula from separating.
—Nia Decaille, Washington Post, 7 Feb. 2020
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Emily Burns, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
Dermatologists Say Beef Tallow Can Be a Good Moisturizer
The hydration perk comes from its store of fatty acids like stearic acid and oleic acid, which help restore and strengthen the skin barrier and lock in existing moisture, explains dermatologist Hannah Kopelman.
—Kayla Blanton, Outside Online, 24 Dec. 2024
Two types of fatty acids, palmitic and stearic acid, make up more than 90% of the caecilian milk-fat total, per the study.
—Popular Science, 7 Mar. 2024
Key ingredients Titanium dioxide, octisalate, stearic acid Size 1 fl.
—Sam Peters, ELLE, 28 Feb. 2023
The lotion includes hydrating shea butter and jojoba oil, softening stearic acid, and grape seed oil—which one study found helped encourage wound healing in a group of recently-tattooed individuals.
—Sam Peters, ELLE, 16 Feb. 2023
This illustration of stearic acid shows the 18 carbon molecules binding to 36 hydrogen molecules and to two oxygen molecules.
—Heidi Silver, Discover Magazine, 31 Jan. 2019
Two ingredients to look for in a body wash, according to Joshua Zeicher, MD, Director of Cosmetic and Clinical Research, Department of Dermatology at Mount Sinai in New York City, are stearic acid and ceramides.
—Christian Gollayan, Men's Health, 17 Nov. 2022
Emulsifiers: Ingredients such as xanthan gum or stearic acid that prevent a formula from separating.
—Nia Decaille, Washington Post, 7 Feb. 2020
Cite this Entry
“Stearic acid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stearic%20acid. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
stearic acid
noun
stea·ric acid
stē-ˌar-ik-
ˌsti(ə)r-ik-
ˌsti(ə)r-ik-
: acid obtained by the hydrolysis of a hard fat (as tallow) with alkali
Medical Definition
stearic acid
noun
stea·ric acid
stē-ˌar-ik-
ˌsti(ə)r-ik-
ˌsti(ə)r-ik-
: a white crystalline fatty acid C18H36O2 obtained by saponifying tallow or other hard fats containing stearin
also
: a commercial mixture of stearic and palmitic acids
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