What is it?
Sodium stearate is the sodium salt of stearic acid. At Tom’s of Maine the source of our material is strictly of vegetable origin, primarily coconut and palm oils.
What does it do?
Sodium stearate is a highly functional material in cosmetic formulations. It can stabilize emulsions like lotions, it can make a product thicker, more viscous, and it can make a product have a creamy feel and appearance. Sodium stearate is also a major constituent of soap. In a deodorant product it has the unique ability to form a gel with other materials like propylene glycol, glycerin, and propanediol. This gel gives our stick deodorant its base structure, so it can be properly applied in the manner consumers expect.
What are the alternatives?
There are other stearate salts that could possibly perform the role of sodium stearate, but sodium stearate has a long history of use as a gelling agent for stick deodorant. Synthetic materials used for gelling sticks and emulsion stability include carbomers which are synthetic polymers of acrylic acid (a product of petroleum refinement).
What are the risks?
Sodium stearate has a long history of safe use in personal care products. It is permitted for direct addition to food by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Tom’s of Maine recognizes that no two people are alike, and even with pure and natural ingredients, some individuals may develop an allergic reaction that is unique to them. As with any product, be sure to discontinue use if you experience discomfort or other indications that the product may not be appropriate for your individual body chemistry.