Name
Cetyl Alcohol
Description
Cetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol commonly used in cosmetics and personal care products. It is different from drying alcohols like ethanol or isopropyl alcohol, as it is an emollient and thickening agent that helps to soften the skin and improve the texture of products. Cetyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with the chemical formula C16H34O. It is derived from natural sources like coconut or palm oil but can also be synthetically produced.
Benefits
Used as an emulsifier and conditioning agent.
Considerations
• Skin Irritation
At high concentrations cetearyl alcohol can be a skin irritant. However, diluted a cosmetic product, it's a low risk.
• Eye Irritation
The raw material can cause eye irritation.
Synonyms
Cetyl Alcohol
1-Hexadecanol
1 Hexanecanol
Hexadecan-1-ol
Hexadecanol
Cetanol
Palmityl Alcohol
Hexadecyl Alcohol
n-Hexadecanol
n-Cetyl Alcohol
Cetylol
Ethal
Cetylic Alcohol
Alcohol C-16
1-Hexadecyl Alcohol
Palmitic Alcohol
C16 Alcohol
Research Sources
https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/2682#section=Toxicity
Summary
Generally safe as used.
Where Knowledge Grows