Magnesium Stearate is used in a very large number of herbal, nutritional, vitamin and mineral capsules, tablets and powders as an inactive ingredient. It can also be found in baby powders, makeup powders (foundation, bronzer, eye shadows, etc.).

Magnesium Stearate is made by combining a mineral source of magnesium, such as magnesium oxide, with magnesium stearate isolated from a vegetable fat.

Vegans and vegetarians may want to avoid magnesium stearate in cosmetics (and E572 in foods) unless it has been independently audited by an accredited third-party organisation like the Vegan Society. You can easily spot their logo - it’s a green sunflower. Similarly, people observing a strict Halal or Kosher diet may wish to avoid it unless it’s certified by an accredited third-party.

There is emerging scientific evidence to suggest that magnesium stearate can cause allergic reactions in very rare cases.

The FDA indicates that the average adult (weighing 68 kg) can safely consume 170 000 mg of magnesium stearate per day. Supplement manufacturers typically use a maximum of about 5% magnesium stearate as an inactive ingredient in capsule products. With the average capsule weighing just 500 mg in total, the average adult would need to consume 6800 capsules a day to reach the safe daily limit.