Aluminum Distearate
AKA “
Hydroxyaluminum distearate, Aluminium distearate, Special M, Aluminum hydroxydistearate, Aluminum hydroxide distearate, Aluminum, HSDB 5487
”
Synthetic
🦆
❤️
👻
Ingredient Facts
Aluminum distearate
AKA: Hydroxyaluminum distearate, Aluminium distearate, Special M, Aluminum hydroxydistearate, Aluminum hydroxide distearate, HSDB 5487
Synthetic · Emulsion Stabilising · EWG: 2
WHAT IS IT?
Plant-Derived Synthetic
Emulsifier
Synthetic
Clean
A powder that helps prevent clumping and keeps the formula smooth and blended, while giving products a soft, opaque finish.
Solubility
Insoluble in water, alcohol, ether
Formula
C36H72AlO5
Mol. Weight
611.90
CAS #
300-92-5
Form
Wax
See origin →
WHAT'S IT DO?
Functions
Anticaking
Emulsion Stabilising
Forces oil and water to stay mixed instead of separating into layers. The unsung hero holding your lotion together.
Opacifying
Viscosity Controlling
Prevents Clumping
Stabilizes Emulsion
Adds Opacity
Controls Viscosity
Keeps product blended
Creates creamy opacity
Controls product thickness
Traditional Use
A synthetic aluminum salt developed in the 20th century as a gelling, thickening, and anti-caking agent widely used in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.
Skin Types
●
all-skin-types, gentle
Best For
General
Melanin-Rich Skin
Suitable
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
IS IT SAFE?
EWG
2
CIR
Safe
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
ewg-2
medical-approval
pregnancy-nursing-safe
all-shades-safe
Regulatory Status
USA
✔ permitted
EU
⚠ restricted
JAPAN
⚠ restricted
CANADA
⚠ restricted
Regulatory Agencies
EWG
CIR
FDA
EU COSING
Health Canada
WHAT'S THE PROOF?
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
→
Final Report of the Safety Assessment of Lithium Stearate, Aluminum Distearate, Aluminum Stearate, Aluminum Tristearate, Ammonium Stearate, Calcium Stearate, Magnesium Stearate, Potassium Stearate, So
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
→
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Aluminum Silicate, Calcium Silicate, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Magnesium Silicate, Magnesium Trisilicate, Sodium Magnesium Silicate, Zirconium Silicate, Att
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
→
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
→
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Silica, Alumina Magnesium Metasilicate, Aluminum Calcium Sodium Silicate, Aluminum Iron Silicates, Hydrated Silica and Potassium Aluminum Silicate
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
→
Safety Assessment of Alumina and Aluminum Hydroxide as Used in Cosmetics
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
→
Aluminum and Breast Cancer Hypothesis
Darbre PD
Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry, 2005
→
Final report on the safety assessment of aluminum silicat...
Amy R Elmore
International journal of toxicology, 2003
→
Aluminum Calcium Sodium Silicate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Aluminum Dimyristate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Aluminum Distearate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Aluminum Hydroxide
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Aluminum Myristate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Aluminum Myristates/Palmitates
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Aluminum Silicate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Aluminum Stearate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Aluminum Tristearate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Verified Feb 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR