Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2021
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income		$ 52,126	$ 43,303	$ 96,935	$ 83,914
Other Comprehensive Income:
Foreign currency translation adjustments (Note 11)	[1]	(36,096)	15,175	(26,267)	(3,266)
Defined benefit pension adjustments, net of tax (Note 11)		434	876	870	1,750
Derivative instrument activity, net of tax (Note 11)		2,043	(3)	4,831	(5)
Total Other Comprehensive Income		(33,619)	16,048	(20,566)	(1,521)
Comprehensive Income		18,507	59,351	76,369	82,393
Comprehensive Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest (Note 2)			(51)		(43)
Comprehensive Income Attributable to Stepan Company		$ 18,507	$ 59,300	$ 76,369	$ 82,350

[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.