What Is Tea-Stearate?
Tea-Stearate is the salt formed when stearic acid, a fatty acid found in plant oils and animal fats, reacts with triethanolamine, a liquid derived from plant sugars or petroleum. This pairing gives the ingredient a balanced mix of oil-loving and water-loving parts, which is why it behaves so well in creams and washes.
The cosmetic world started using stearic acid more than a century ago for its thickening power. When chemists combined it with triethanolamine in the mid-20th century they discovered a smoother texture and better cleansing action, leading to Tea-Stearate’s steady rise in soaps, lotions and shaving foams. Today manufacturers create it in controlled reactors where purified stearic acid and triethanolamine are blended at gentle heat until they form a uniform paste. The result is a white to off-white waxy solid that dissolves easily into emulsions.
You will most often spot Tea-Stearate in facial cleansers, body washes, cold creams, moisturizers, masks and lightweight makeup products where a creamy feel and stable foam are important.
Tea-Stearate’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses
In skincare formulas Tea-Stearate pulls double duty, offering both performance and texture perks:
- Cleansing: Its soap-like nature lifts away surface oil, dirt and leftover makeup, helping products rinse clean without harshness
- Emulsifying: It holds water and oil together so creams stay smooth and do not separate on the shelf or on your skin
Who Can Use Tea-Stearate
Most skin types, including normal, oily and combination, tolerate Tea-Stearate well because it cleanses without the harsh stripping feel of stronger surfactants. Very dry or highly reactive skin might find frequent use a bit drying since the ingredient does remove surface oils, so richer follow-up moisturizers are recommended in those cases.
Tea-Stearate itself is vegan friendly when the stearic acid comes from plant oils like coconut or palm. Some manufacturers still source stearic acid from animal tallow, so strict vegans and vegetarians should look for “plant derived” or check with the brand to confirm provenance.
The ingredient is considered low risk for pregnant or breastfeeding women when used in rinse-off or leave-on cosmetics. This is general information only and not medical advice; anyone expecting or nursing should review their skincare routine with their physician to be sure it fits their personal circumstances.
Tea-Stearate does not increase photosensitivity, so it will not make skin more prone to sunburn. Standard daytime sun protection is still advised for overall skin health.
Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions
Individual responses to topical Tea-Stearate can differ. The points below outline possible but uncommon reactions. Formulas that use the ingredient correctly are unlikely to cause problems for the average user.
- Dryness or tightness
- Mild redness or irritation on very sensitive skin
- Allergic contact dermatitis in rare cases of triethanolamine or stearic acid sensitivity
- Eye stinging if a cleanser containing Tea-Stearate is not fully rinsed away
- Potential pore congestion when used at high levels in thick creams on acne-prone skin
If any unwanted reaction appears stop using the product and consult a dermatologist or healthcare professional for guidance.
Comedogenic Rating
Rating: 2/5 (low to moderate)
Stearic acid on its own scores about a 2 while triethanolamine sits near 1. When they unite to form Tea-Stearate the overall risk of clogging pores stays on the lower side, especially because most formulas use it at modest levels and often in rinse-off products. People who break out easily can usually use it without trouble but very acne-prone skin might prefer lighter textures that rely on other emulsifiers.
The chance of congestion rises if Tea-Stearate appears high on the ingredient list of a rich cream that lingers on the skin, so texture and total formula matter as much as the ingredient itself.
Summary
Tea-Stearate acts as a gentle cleanser and reliable emulsifier, lifting away oil and dirt while holding water and oil together so creams stay smooth. Its balanced fat-and-water structure also adds a creamy feel that users enjoy.
It is a quiet workhorse rather than a trend ingredient, yet it turns up in many soaps, cleansers, lotions and shaving foams because it gets the job done at a friendly cost.
Safety data show a low rate of irritation or allergy when used at normal levels. Still, everyone’s skin is different so patch testing a new product with Tea-Stearate is a smart step before full-face use.