Stearic Acid can be used in making cosmetics, candles, foods, oil pastels, dietary supplements, plastics and softening rubber. In soap making it is used to harden soaps, especially soaps made with vegetable oil. It can also be found in toothpastes and deodorant. Stearic Acid is used to bind, stabilize and thicken creams and lotions and is the premier choice for most body care product manufacturers. Stearic Acid should be used to thicken lotions and creams at about 2-5%.