Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 30, 2021
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income		$ 39,384	$ 36,923	$ 136,319	$ 120,837
Other Comprehensive Income:
Foreign currency translation adjustments (Note 11)	[1]	(30,002)	(19,328)	(56,269)	(22,594)
Defined benefit pension adjustments, net of tax (Note 11)		435	800	1,305	2,550
Derivative instrument activity, net of tax (Note 11)		3,996	(2)	8,827	(7)
Total Other Comprehensive Income		(25,571)	(18,530)	(46,137)	(20,051)
Comprehensive Income		13,813	18,393	90,182	100,786
Comprehensive Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest (Note 2)			(6)		(49)
Comprehensive Income Attributable to Stepan Company		$ 13,813	$ 18,387	$ 90,182	$ 100,737

[1] The prior year includes foreign currency translation adjustments related to noncontrolling interest. The 2021 noncontrolling interest was related to the Company’s China joint venture which was dissolved in the fourth quarter of 2021.