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chemical formula of sodium stearate
The chemical formula of sodium stearate is C18H33NaO2 and it appears as white, slightly tan solid at room temperature. It has a slight tallow-like odor.
Sodium stearate is a soap and it’s used as an ingredient in many cosmetic products. It is an emulsifier and thickener in liquid cosmetics; it’s also used as a stabilizer, thickener and dispersant in latex paint and as a thickener for gel perfume.
It is also used as an emollient and lubricant in plastics. It can be used to produce a latex foam, which is often used for medical purposes such as dressings and bandages.
Stearic acid is a fatty acid that is widely present in both vegetable and animal oils. It is a common component of triglycerides.
Besides the triglyceride form, stearic acid can be found in other forms such as diacylglycerol and lauryl sulfate. The latter is the form most commonly found in cosmetics.
The fatty acid stearic acid has a long hydrocarbon chain with both hydrophilic and hydrophobic ends. This structure of the molecule induces the formation of micelles when added to water.
This is a typical feature of soaps and it’s the reason why they are so effective in emulsifying and hydrating skin.
Sodium stearate is a cationic surfactant with a pH-dependent charge and it’s one of the most common anionic surfactants in the world. It’s a mild surfactant and doesn’t irritate the skin.