Cetearyl Alcohol ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is a waxy structuring agent, emulsion stabilizer, co-emulsifier, and emollient. It helps creams and conditioners feel richer, improves slip, and supports viscosity in oil-in-water formulas.
What does Cetearyl Alcohol do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is a waxy structuring agent, emulsion stabilizer, co-emulsifier, and emollient. It helps creams and conditioners feel richer, improves slip, and supports viscosity in oil-in-water formulas.
Is Cetearyl Alcohol clean?
It is broadly accepted in clean beauty frameworks and is generally well tolerated, with low sensitization potential. It is a long-chain waxy alcohol, not the fast-evaporating type associated with a drying skin feel.
Is Cetearyl Alcohol sustainable?
This material is commonly sourced from plant fatty acids, often palm or coconut, though synthetic routes also exist. It is readily biodegradable, with the main sustainability question being traceable, responsibly managed palm sourcing when palm-derived.
Is Cetearyl Alcohol COSMOS-approved?
It is permitted under COSMOS-natural and COSMOS-organic when made from allowed raw materials using compliant processing. Its Green Chemistry profile is strong when plant-derived, because it can use renewable feedstocks, has low persistence, and performs without volatile solvents.
How does Cetearyl Alcohol work chemically?
The molecule profile is a blend of saturated, linear C16 and C18 long-chain alcohols, giving it a waxy solid form with a typical melting range around 49 to 56°C. It is usually used around 1 to 5% in creams and conditioners, is water-insoluble, stable across common cosmetic pH ranges, and helps form lamellar gel networks with compatible emulsifiers.
Last updated 2026-05-13