Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income		$ 44,809	$ 40,611
Other Comprehensive Income:
Foreign currency translation adjustments (Note 11)	[1]	9,829	(18,441)
Defined benefit pension adjustments, net of tax (Note 11)		436	874
Derivative instrument activity, net of tax (Note 11)		2,788	(2)
Total Other Comprehensive Income		13,053	(17,569)
Comprehensive Income		57,862	23,042
Comprehensive Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest (Note 2)			8
Comprehensive Income Attributable to Stepan Company		$ 57,862	$ 23,050

[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.