Cetylalcohol ●
TL;DR. A solid fatty alcohol used as a thickener, emollient, co-emulsifier, and emulsion stabilizer. It gives creams and lotions more body, slip, and a smoother after-feel.
What does Cetylalcohol do in a cosmetic formula?
A solid fatty alcohol used as a thickener, emollient, co-emulsifier, and emulsion stabilizer. It gives creams and lotions more body, slip, and a smoother after-feel.
Is Cetylalcohol clean?
This ingredient is generally well tolerated and has low sensitization concern, despite the word alcohol sounding drying to some shoppers. It is widely accepted in clean-beauty standards when purity and sourcing are appropriate.
Is Cetylalcohol sustainable?
This material is commonly sourced from coconut or palm-derived fatty feedstocks, though petrochemical routes also exist. It is readily biodegradable, with the main sustainability question usually tied to responsible palm supply chains.
Is Cetylalcohol COSMOS-approved?
It is permitted under COSMOS-natural and COSMOS-organic when sourced and processed according to the standard. It fits Green Chemistry principles reasonably well when plant-derived, biodegradable, and made through established low-waste fatty chemistry.
How does Cetylalcohol work chemically?
The molecule is a saturated C16 long-chain fatty alcohol that is waxy, nonionic, and structurally useful in lamellar gel networks. Typical use levels are about 0.5% to 5%, with a melting point near 49°C and good stability across the normal cosmetic pH range.
Last updated 2026-05-15