Emollient

Cetyl Alcohol

Classic fatty alcohol from coconut — forms a protective film on the skin, softens, and gives creams a silky texture. Cetyl Alcohol has been present in cosmetics for over 100 years and remains an unchanged quality standard.

fatty alcoholcoconutprotective filmsilkiness

⚠ Use with Caution

Comedogenic Rating

2/5

Irritation Potential

2/5

What is it?

Cetyl Alcohol (1-hexadecanol) — fatty alcohol with 16 carbon atoms (C16). Obtained from coconut or palm oil. Performs roles: thickener, emollient, emulsifier-booster. Forms a thin protective film. In INCI: Cetyl Alcohol.

A standard component of moisturizing creams, lotions, hair conditioners. Often paired with cetearyl alcohol or stearyl alcohol.

Key Benefits

✦

Protective film and occlusion

The C16 chain forms a thin protective film on the skin's surface, reducing TEWL (transepidermal water loss) and retaining moisture.

◈

Silky texture without greasiness

Gives products a characteristic soft silky texture and dry touch effect — ease of application and pleasant feeling after absorption.

✧

Safe century-old ingredient

One of the oldest cosmetic ingredients with confirmed safety for over 100 years of clinical use. Well tolerated even by sensitive skin.

Suitable for

for all skin typesfor dry skinfor sensitive skin

Main Actions

✓ softening✓ protective film✓ thickening✓ occlusion✓ silky texture

Cetyl vs Cetearyl vs Stearyl

Cetyl Alcohol (C16) — lighter, drier finish. Stearyl Alcohol (C18) — slightly greasier. Cetearyl Alcohol — a mixture of C16+C18, the most common combination. All are fatty alcohols, moisturize, and do not irritate.

CategoryEmollients

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