What is CETEARYL ALCOHOL and what does it do?

Role: EMOLLIENT/EMULSIFIER/TEXTURE

Family: FATTY ALCOHOL

Comedogenic index: 2

Cetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol.
CETEARYL ALCOHOL functions
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and moisturize the skin by locking in moisture.
It is also used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers prevent the separation of oils and products. Cetearyl alcohol can also help thicken a product or create foam.

Although chemically an alcohol, its properties are totally different from those of low-molecular-weight alcohols or drying alcohols, such as denatured alcohol. Fatty alcohols have a long oil-soluble molecule, making them completely non-drying and non-irritating. Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and moisturize the skin by locking in moisture.

Studies show that cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to contain fatty alcohols.

Cetearyl alcohol is generally derived from vegetable oils such as palm oil, vegetable oil or coconut oil. This ingredient may be comedogenic.

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