stearic acid skin care product formula
I need some help. I do not know where to find the formula for the skin
exfoliator that has stearic acid in it for getting rid of dry skin.
Some time back, there had been a product called Pretty Hands and Feet
that did this but I can't find it any more. It may still be out there
somewhere but I can't find it.
-I don't know about that particular product but there are alot of products on
the market now with alpha hydroxy acids that do just what you are describing.
Stearic may be just one type of this. These are also referred to as fruit
acids since they include citric acid among others.
-Stearic Acid could be used in conjunction with amines as an emulsifier for
various oils and fatty alcohols used in skin care products. Stearic Acid
itself is not a skin exfoliant. Alpha Hydroxy acids are the active
ingredient in so called "chemical peels."
Most, if not all, chemical peels contain emollients to lessen the
irritation of the process. A lot of emollients have limited water
solubility and must therefore be emulsified.
Most of the formulas for hand lotion that I have fooled with used Oleic
rather than Stearic acid as the emulsifier. Although they are both C18
fatty acids, Oleic has one double bond that renders it a liquid at room
temperature. Stearic Acid is a waxy solid at room temperature, and
formulas using it tend to be difficult if not impossible to rinse.