Sodium Hydroxystearate

INCI: SODIUM HYDROXYSTEARATE

CAS Number
Not a single standard CAS — often referenced under hydroxystearic acid sodium salt; parent acid 12-hydroxystearic acid CAS: 106-14-9
Function
Cleansing; Surfactant – Cleansing
Safety Rating
EXCELLENT

Regulatory Status

🇪🇺 EU Status permitted
🇺🇸 US Status permitted
US Notes Permitted — CIR reviewed hydroxystearic acid as safe in present practices of use

For full compliance data across 55 jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.

Safety Data

Margin of Safety (MoS)
adequate
Dermal Absorption
low
Sensitization
none

Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.

Expert Verdict

Minor — can be drying at high concentrations if not properly formulated; used in 99 formulations per FDA VCRP (2015 data)

⚠️
Concern Level: None

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sodium Hydroxystearate safe in cosmetics?

Minor — can be drying at high concentrations if not properly formulated; used in 99 formulations per FDA VCRP (2015 data) The EU classifies Sodium Hydroxystearate as "permitted". Safety rating: EXCELLENT.

Is Sodium Hydroxystearate allowed in the EU?

Sodium Hydroxystearate EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.

What does Sodium Hydroxystearate do in cosmetics?

Sodium Hydroxystearate functions as: Cleansing; Surfactant – Cleansing. It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: Not a single standard CAS — often referenced under hydroxystearic acid sodium salt; parent acid 12-hydroxystearic acid CAS: 106-14-9.

What is the Margin of Safety for Sodium Hydroxystearate?

adequate The Margin of Safety (MoS) is calculated using SCCS methodology. A MoS above 100 is generally considered safe. Use the MoS Calculator tool to calculate MoS for your specific formulation and product category.

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