Zinc Stearate (Eshter-ZS)

Zinc Stearate is a white, fluffy powdered ingredient that acts as a thickening agent and lubricant in cosmetics. It gives texture and viscosity to formulations while enhancing the spreadability of products like creams, lotions, and powders. A zinc salt of stearic acid, this ingredient has mattifying properties and reduces shine by absorbing excess oil. Zinc Stearate normally finds applications in pressed powders, foundations, eyeshadows, sunscreens, and lipsticks. Additionally, it is compatible with a wide range of ingredients and can improve longevity and performance of cosmetic products. 

Zinc stearate is a "zinc soap" that is widely used industrially. In this context, soap is used in its formal sense, a metal salt of a fatty acid: in this case stearic acid. It is a white solid that repels water. It is insoluble in polar solvents such as alcohol and ether but soluble in aromatic hydrocarbons (e.g., benzene) and chlorinated hydrocarbons when heated. It is the most powerful mold release agent among all metal soaps. It contains no electrolyte and has a hydrophobic effect. Its main application areas are the plastics and rubber industry, where it is used as a releasing agent and lubricant which can be easily incorporated.

Zinc Stearate has multiple functional properties. It serves as a binder in pressed powders, helping to compact pigments and prevent crumbling. Its anti-caking properties ensure smooth textures in loose powders, eyeshadows, and blushes. As a thickening agent, it adds viscosity to creams and lotions, while its lubricating and water-repellent qualities enhance the spreadability and longevity of products like foundations and sunscreens. Additionally, Zinc Stearate provides a silky, matte finish, making it ideal for mattifying products. It is also used in deodorants to improve texture and moisture control.

It is widely used as a release agent for the production of many kinds of objects: rubber, polyurethane, polyester processing system, powder metallurgy. These applications exploit its "non-stick" properties. In cosmetics, zinc stearate is a lubricant and thickening agent used to improve texture.

It is an "activator" for accelerated rubber sulfur vulcanization. As discovered in the early days of vulcanization, zinc has a beneficial effect on the reaction of the sulfur with the polyolefin. The stearate is a form of zinc that is highly soluble in the nonpolar medium of the polyolefins.

Being lipophilic, it functions as a phase transfer catalyst for the saponification of fats.

Niche uses

It is a component of some paints, imparting gloss. As a chief ingredient in "fanning powder", it is used by magicians performing card manipulation to decrease the friction between playing cards.

It can be widely used as additives in plastic, textile, rubber and other industries.

Plastics and rubber products play a role in lubrication and are added to industrial plastics, PVC, masterbatches and other products

It can be used as a heat stabilizer for polyvinyl chloride

It can be used as a polishing agent for textiles, as well as a flatting agent for paint and enamel.