Cetyl alcohol is one of the most common ingredients found in cosmetic, skin care, and hair care products. It is a white and waxy ingredient that acts as a thickening agent in products. Cetyl alcohol also binds the ingredients together and prevents them from separating. Apart from this, Cetyl alcohol has moisturizing properties and is non-comedogenic, that is, it does not clog pores. The chemical formula of Cetyl alcohol is C16H34O.
Products with CETYL ALCOHOL
With samples available
V3DS Sculpt
by INdermal by Nanovex Biotechnologies
- Sustainable option
- Original documents
Vegan FDS Zinc PCA
by INdermal by Nanovex Biotechnologies
- Sustainable option
- Original documents
Vegan DDS Alpha Arbutin
by INdermal by Nanovex Biotechnologies
- Sustainable option
- Original documents
What is CETYL ALCOHOL used for?
Cetyl alcohol is found in numerous cosmetic and skin care products - moisturizers, makeup, shampoos, soap, etc. This is owing to the variety of benefits offered:
- For Skin, Cetyl alcohol acts as a moisturizing agent and an opacifier. It makes the skin hydrated and soft without clogging the pores or causing acne. Cetyl alcohol is good for the skin and is used in a range of products
- For Hair, it acts as a thickening agent and allows hair care products to be applied easily on the shafts without the product being too flowy. Moreover, it is an emollient that keeps the ingredient from separating in a formulation
- In Cosmetics, since it is a waxy ingredient, it greatly enhances the texture of cosmetic products and improves the spreadability of the formulations. In products like lipsticks, Cetyl alcohol is the ingredient that helps the color adhere to the lips
Origin
Cetyl alcohol is a natural ingredient that is extracted from vegetable, coconut, or palm oil. It was first discovered by a French chemist - Michael Chevreul - in 1817. He obtained this thick and waxy ingredient from sperm whale oil but today Cetyl alcohol is mainly produced by many other natural sources.
What does CETYL ALCOHOL do in a formulation?
EMOLLIENT|
MOISTURISING|
OPACIFYING|
VISCOSITY CONTROLLINGSafety Profile
Cetyl Alcohol is considered safe for cosmetic use, as affirmed by the CIR Expert Panel (reaffirmed in 2005 and supported in ongoing reviews) with low hazard rating from EWG (typically 1). It shows minimal irritation, sensitization, or comedogenicity at typical concentrations (1-10%). It is non-toxic, well-tolerated across skin types (including sensitive), and suitable for pregnant women. Rare allergic reactions may occur; patch testing is advised. The EU COSING database approves it for emollient, emulsifying, opacifying, surfactant, and viscosity controlling functions in rinse-off and leave-on products.
CETYL ALCOHOL alternatives
CETYL ALCOHOL technical profile
| Property | Values |
| Boiling Point | 344°C |
| Melting Point | 49.3°C |
| Solubility | Insoluble in water |
| Viscosity | 53 cP |