Myristyl Alcohol

The Basics On Myristyl Alcohol

What is Myristyl Alcohol?

A lighter-weight fatty alcohol.

What are other names for Myristyl Alcohol?

1-HYDROXYTETRADECANE, 1-TETRADECANOL, MYRISTYL ALCOHOL, TETRADECANOL, and TETRADECYL ALCOHOL

What is Myristyl Alcohol used for?

Used in cosmetics as an emollient and a stabilizer, preventing separation. Myristyl Alcohol smooths the skin and prevents moisture loss (Wiki). Myristyl Alcohol may also be used as a foaming agent and fragrance ingredient.

How Myristyl Alcohol is classified

Emollients, Thickeners/Emulsifiers

Recommendations for using Myristyl Alcohol during pregnancy and breastfeeding

Limited data suggests no known risk

 

Myristyl Alcohol During Pregnancy

What we know about using Myristyl Alcohol while pregnant or breastfeeding

Limited information available.

N/A

General safety info about Myristyl Alcohol from CIR

Cetearyl, Cetyl, Isostearyl, Myristyl, and Behenyl Alcohols are long-chain aliphatic alcohols that are, at most, only slightly toxic when administered orally at doses of 5 g/kg and greater. In acute dermal toxicity studies (rabbits), doses of up to 2.6 g/kg of Cetyl Alcohol and 2.0 g/kg of a product containing 0.8% Myristyl Alcohol were both practically nontoxic. Mild irritation was observed when a cream containing 3.0% Cetearyl Alcohol was applied to the skin of New Zealand albino rabbits. Cetyl Alcohol (50.0% in petrolatum) applied to abraded and intact skin of albino rabbits produced minimal to slight skin irritation. Cetyl Alcohol was considered to be practically nonirritating when instilled into the eyes of albino rabbits. An aerosol antiperspirant containing 3.0% Myristyl Alcohol induced mild to moderate irritation; a moisturizing lotion containing 0.8% Myristyl Alcohol was nonirritating to rabbit eyes. Corneal irritation was reported following an ocular test using a 5.0% tsostearyl Alcohol antiperspirant. Conjunctival irritation was observed 2 and 6 h after instillation of 1.0% Behenyl Alcohol. lsostearyl Alcohol (5.0% in propylene glycol) and an antiperspirant containing 5.0% lsostearyl Alcohol were not sensitizers in guinea pigs. Cetyl Alcohol was not mutagenic in Salmonella typhimurium LT2 mutant strains in the spot test. Clinical skin irritation and sensitization studies of product formulations containing up to 8.4% Cetyl Alcohol produced no evidence of irritation or sensitization. Moisturizing lotions containing 0.8% Myristyl Alcohol were nonirritating to human skin, and moisturizers containing 0.25% Myristyl Alcohol were neither irritants nor sensitizers. No signs of skin irritation or sensitization were observed in humans following the dermal application of 25% lsostearyl Alcohol. In a human skin sensitization study of a cream containing 3.0% Cetearyl Alcohol, none of the subjects had positive reactions. An analysis of the data and comparison with data from other toxicity studies on long-chain aliphatic alcohols is presented. Based on the available data included in this report, it is concluded that Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, lsostearyl Alcohol, Myristyl Alcohol, and Behenyl Alcohol are safe as cosmetic ingredients in the present practices of use.

Use this, not that!

Products where you might find Myristyl Alcohol

Embryolisse Eau De Beaute Rosamelis – Alcohol Free Toner (6.67 fl. oz.); Phytomer Eau Marine Alcohol-Free Tonic Lotion (8.4 fl. oz.); Anthony Alcohol Free Deodorant; Living Proof Full Thickening Cream