Cetearyl alcohol is a chemical found in cosmetic products. It’s a white, waxy substance made from cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol, both fatty alcohols. They’re found in animals and plants, like coconut and palm oil. They can also be made in a laboratory.
What is another name for cetyl alcohol?
Cetyl alcohol, also known as 1-hexadecanol or n-hexadecyl alcohol, is a 16-C fatty alcohol with the chemical formula CH3(CH2)15OH. It can be produced from the reduction of palmitic acid.
What is cetyl alcohol made of?
Cetyl alcohol, also known as 1-hexadecanol and palmityl alcohol, is a common ingredient in a variety of personal care products and cosmetics. It is derived from vegetable oils such as palm or coconut oil.
Is cetyl alcohol a natural product?
Cetearyl alcohol is a flaky, waxy, white solid that is a combination of cetyl and stearyl alcohols, which occur naturally in plants and animals. Cetyl and stearyl alcohols are often derived from coconut, palm, corn, or soy vegetable oil, typically from coconut palm trees, palm trees, corn plants, or soy plants.
What is the use of cetyl alcohol?
This medication is used as a moisturizer to treat or prevent dry, rough, scaly, itchy skin and minor skin irritations (e.g., diaper rash, skin burns from radiation therapy). Emollients are substances that soften and moisturize the skin and decrease itching and flaking.
Which is better cetyl alcohol or cetearyl alcohol?
Cetyl alcohol is a thickening agent and emulsifier derived from vegetable oils, e.g. palm oil or coconut oil. Cetearyl alcohol emulsifies better than of cetyl alcohol.
Is cetyl alcohol safe for skin?
Not only is it considered safe and nontoxic for use on the skin and hair, but it’s also not drying or irritating like other types of alcohol. Due to its chemical structure, cetearyl alcohol is even permitted by the FDA as an ingredient in products labeled “alcohol-free.” … Cetyl alcohol.
Does cetyl alcohol kill germs?
It is a flammable solvent that must be at a level of at least 60% to be effective. It kills germs by drying them out just like it does your skin.
What is the difference between cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol?
What is the difference between cetyl, stearyl and cetostearyl alcohol Cetyl and Stearyl alcohol are very similar. Stearyl alcohol is a slightly longer version of cetyl alcohol having two additional carbons (i.e Cetyl has 16 carbons while Stearyl has 18).
Is cetyl alcohol safe for babies skin?
They don’t usually irritate or dry the skin. Cetearyl alcohol is one fatty alcohol you may see listed in the ingredients of baby wipes. Cetostearyl alcohol is another that you may find in emollients and which, on rare occasions, a baby with sensitive skin may still react to (NICE 2013b, Penzer 2012).
What is the best natural emulsifier?
Wax is probably used most often as a natural emulsifier and it is a great choice when making a homemade skin care product. Beeswax, candelilla wax, carnauba wax, and rice bran wax can all be used as a wax emulsifier.
Is cetyl alcohol natural or synthetic?
Cetearyl Alcohol (Cetyl + Stearyl Alcohol) is synthetically derived from Coconut oil or Petroleum derivatives. Oil and water do not normally mix well, but this ingredient works as an emulsifier (think mayonnaise) and is an inexpensive additive and this is why it’s use is so pervasive in commercial products.
Does cetearyl alcohol clog pores?
Those with sensitive skin, however, may want to avoid these as well. Why? They have a reputation for causing irritation in sensitive folks. … There have also been some reports that these fatty alcohols like stearyl alcohol, cetearyl alcohol in skin care may clog pores, exacerbating acne breakouts.
Is stearyl alcohol good for skin?
Skin barrier As an emollient, topically applied stearyl alcohol has the ability to soften and soothe the skin. The fatty acids that make up this ingredient create a barrier on the skin that effectively seals moisture in while keeping the air and other environmental elements out.
Is cetyl alcohol considered alcohol?
Helpful Types of Alcohol in Skin Care
Another category of alcohol is fatty alcohols. These include cetyl, stearyl, and cetearyl alcohol, which are derived from fats. “Fatty alcohols are often found in cleansing lotions and moisturizers as thickeners and emulsifiers,” says Frieling.
What does cetyl alcohol do to your hair?
But according to science, fatty alcohols, such as Cetearyl Alcohol, actually has properties that are very beneficial to hair and scalp! Cetearyl Alcohol is hydrating, moisturizing and smoothening. It helps to soften the hair and provide slip to help detangle hair better!