The Basics On Cetearyl Alcohol
What is Cetearyl Alcohol?
Fatty alcohol used as an emollient, emulsifier, thickener, and carrying agent.
What are other names for Cetearyl Alcohol?
(C16-C18) ALKYL ALCOHOL; (C16-C18)-ALKYL ALCOHOL, 1-OCTADECANOL, MIXT. WITH 1-HEXADECANOL, ALCOHOLS, C16-18, ALCOHOLS, C1618, C16-18 ALCOHOLS, CETEARYL ALCOHOL, CETOSTEARYL ALCOHOL, CETYL/STEARYL ALCOHOL, MIXT. WITH 1-HEXADECANOL 1-OCTADECANOL, and UNIOX A
What is Cetearyl Alcohol used for?
Cetostearyl alcohol (also known as Cetearyl alcohol) is actually a mixture of cetyl (C16) and stearyl alcohols (C18). It comes from the extraction of vegetable oils such as palm oil. It is a white, waxy solid at room temperature. Cetostearyl alcohol is a nonionic surfactant and it is a common ingredient in skin care formulations where it can fulfill a variety of functions. It can act as an emulsion stabilizer, a fragrance ingredient, an opacifying agent a surfactant/emulsifying agent, a surfactant/foam booster; and a viscosity increasing agent.
How Cetearyl Alcohol is classified
Texture Enhancer, Emollients
Recommendations for using Cetearyl Alcohol during pregnancy and breastfeeding
Limited data suggests no known risk
Cetearyl Alcohol During Pregnancy
What we know about using Cetearyl Alcohol while pregnant or breastfeeding
Limited information available.
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General safety info about Cetearyl Alcohol from CIR
T he toxicity of long-chain aliphatic alcohols is reviewed in this report. In other toxicological reviews, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has assessed the safety of related compounds: Stearyl Alcohol, Oleyl Alcohol, Octyl Dodecanol, Isopropyl Stearate, lsobutyl Stearate, Butyl Stearate, Octyl Stearate, Myristyl Stearate, lsocetyl Stearate, Cetyl Stearate, Isopropyl Palmitate, Octyl Palmitate, Cetyl Palmitate, Myristyl Lactate, Cetyl Lactate, Isopropyl Myristate, Myristyl Myristate, Cetearyl Octanoate, lsostearyl Neopentanoate, and Isostearic Acid.“
Use this, not that!
Products where you might find Cetearyl Alcohol
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List of References
General sources: Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed) [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); 2006-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501922/
1. CETEARYL ALCOHOL. EWG’s Skin Deep Cosmetic Database. https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/701236/CETEARYL_ALCOHOL/#.W74XP2gzZhE. Published 2018. Accessed October 2018.
Disclaimer: This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult your healthcare provider with any questions.
