HEXADECANOL ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is a fatty structurant that thickens creams, lotions, conditioners, and balms while adding slip and a soft, conditioned feel. It also helps stabilize emulsions by supporting the oil phase and improving viscosity.
What does HEXADECANOL do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is a fatty structurant that thickens creams, lotions, conditioners, and balms while adding slip and a soft, conditioned feel. It also helps stabilize emulsions by supporting the oil phase and improving viscosity.
Is HEXADECANOL clean?
It is generally well tolerated, non-sensitizing for most users, and widely accepted in clean-beauty standards. Concerns are usually about feedstock traceability rather than routine skin compatibility.
Is HEXADECANOL sustainable?
This material is commonly made from palm, coconut, or other vegetable oils, although petroleum-derived versions also exist. It is readily biodegradable, with the main sustainability question being responsible sourcing of tropical oil feedstocks.
Is HEXADECANOL COSMOS-approved?
It is permitted under COSMOS-natural and COSMOS-organic when made from approved natural feedstocks using accepted processing routes. Its Green Chemistry profile is strong when plant-derived, because it uses renewable carbon, has low persistence, and biodegrades readily.
How does HEXADECANOL work chemically?
The molecule is a saturated, straight-chain, 16-carbon fatty alcohol with a waxy solid texture and a melting point around 49°C. Typical use levels are about 0.5% to 10%, and it is nonionic, broadly pH-stable, and usually combined with emulsifiers, oils, or conditioning agents to build texture and lamellar structure.
Last updated 2026-05-14