Lithium, calcium, magnesium, zinc and aluminum so-called stearates that satisfy the specification of the British Pharmacopoeia 1968 and the Toilet Preparations Federation 1965 are used in face powders, talcum powders, medicated dusting powders, tablet formulation and in cosmetic and pharmaceutical creams. Zinc undecendate is used in fungicidal preparations. This paper describes their preparation, their uses in cosmetic and pharmaceutical powders, in granulation and tabletting. A discussion of the physical properties of the stearate solutions in organic solvents is followed by consideration of the formation of oil-in-water or water-in-oil emulsions and some practical examples of formulae containing stearates for various purposes.