Potassium Sterate ●
TL;DR. This ingredient functions as an anionic surfactant and emulsifier, helping oils and water mix while supporting cleansing, foaming, and creamy texture in alkaline formulas.
What does Potassium Sterate do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient functions as an anionic surfactant and emulsifier, helping oils and water mix while supporting cleansing, foaming, and creamy texture in alkaline formulas.
Is Potassium Sterate clean?
This ingredient is generally well accepted in clean-beauty frameworks, with low systemic concern and a long history of use. The main caveat is potential dryness or irritation in higher-pH cleansers, especially for reactive skin.
Is Potassium Sterate sustainable?
This material is typically made from fatty acids that may be plant-derived, often palm or coconut linked, or animal-derived depending on the supply chain. It is readily biodegradable and does not raise persistence or bioaccumulation concerns.
Is Potassium Sterate COSMOS-approved?
This ingredient is generally compatible with COSMOS-natural and COSMOS-organic standards when made from permitted fatty-acid sources and approved alkali processing. It fits Green Chemistry reasonably well through simple salt formation, good biodegradability, and low environmental persistence, with sourcing certification as the key variable.
How does Potassium Sterate work chemically?
The molecule is a potassium carboxylate salt of a saturated C18 fatty acid, giving it amphiphilic behavior and alkaline pH in water. It is commonly used in cleansing bars, shaving products, creams, and emulsions, where performance depends on pH, electrolyte level, water hardness, and compatibility with nonionic or amphoteric co-surfactants.
Last updated 2026-05-13