What Is Octadecanamide?

Learn about the opacifying, surfactant foam-boosting, and viscosity-controlling characteristics of Octadecanamide and its usage in personal care products.

What Is Octadecanamide? Brandon Jones / IngredientReviewer

Last Updated: October 2, 2024

Written by Brandon Jones

What Is Octadecanamide?

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Octadecanamide, also known as stearamide, is a colorless or beige solid that is often used in cosmetics to make products thicker and create foam. It can also help to control the texture of cosmetic products. Octadecanamide comes in different forms including dry powder, pellets or large crystals. It is made from stearic acid and can also be used as a release agent in food packaging.

What is the purpose of Octadecanamide in personal care products? It is used for its opacifying, surfactant foam-boosting, and viscosity-controlling characteristics. Octadecanamide reduce cosmetic transparency, increases and stabilizes foaming, and adjusts the thickness of a product.

Names and identifiers that we found for this substance include: Octadecanamide and Stearamide.

What Are Opacifying Ingredients?

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Octadecanamide has opacifying characteristics.

Opacifying ingredients are commonly used in cosmetic products to reduce transparency or translucency. These ingredients create a white or opaque appearance in the product, which helps hide imperfections and blemishes on the skin. Some opacifying ingredients also have the added benefit of providing a matte finish, which can be desirable for those with oily or combination skin.

Opacifying ingredients can be found in various cosmetic products, including foundations, powders, and concealers. These ingredients can be synthetic or naturally derived, including titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, and kaolin clay.

What Are Surfactant Foam-Boosting Ingredients?

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Octadecanamide has surfactant foam-boosting characteristics.

Surfactant foam-boosting ingredients improve the foaminess of cleansers, shampoos, and other personal care products. These ingredients work by increasing the capacity of the product to produce foam and stabilizing the foam generated during use. This results in a more luxurious and satisfying lather, making the product feel more effective and enjoyable.

Foam-boosting ingredients typically have a surface-active nature, meaning they can interact with water- and oil-based molecules. When added to a product, these ingredients help reduce the liquid's surface tension, allowing air to be trapped and stabilized within the product, creating a foam. In addition, they can help maintain the foam's stability by preventing the bubbles from bursting or collapsing, which would result in a less effective cleaning experience.

What Are Viscosity-Controlling Ingredients?

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Octadecanamide has viscosity-controlling characteristics.

Viscosity-controlling ingredients increase or decrease the thickness of a product. These ingredients are essential in creating the desired texture and consistency for cosmetic products such as lotions, creams, and serums.

Increasing the viscosity of a cosmetic product can provide a thicker and more substantial texture, making it easier to apply and providing better coverage. On the other hand, decreasing the viscosity can create a lighter, more fluid consistency, allowing for quicker absorption into the skin.

Safety

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Remember, always read and follow the instructions provided on product labels carefully. If you have any questions or concerns about using a product containing various ingredients, consult with your doctor or healthcare provider before use.