It is an all-purpose thickening alcohol derived from vegetable oils, > 95 %, composed of fatty alcohols.

White granules, no or faint odor.

Soluble in diethyl ether & acetone, slightly soluble in alcohol.

Insoluble in cold water. Partially solubility in hot water

Uses and Benefits

• In personal care products like skin lotions and creams, cetyl alcohol serves as a thickening agent and emulsifier, to help keep product ingredients from separating.

• Because cetyl alcohol melts at temperatures higher than the average human body temperature, it is useful in cosmetic products like lipsticks, helping lip color adhere to the skin.

• Cetyl alcohol is also a multipurpose food additive, used as a flavoring agent or in food decorations. For example, cetyl alcohol is an ingredient in colorful lettering or pictures on some types of candy or gum.

• In industrial applications, Cetyl alcohol is a primary ingredient in fuels, chemical intermediates and plasticizers and is used as a lubricant for nuts and bolts in manufacturing applications.

Why is Cetyl Alcohol in Cosmetics?

Cetyl alcohol acts as a binding agent, helping the various ingredients in many moisturizers, lotions and creams bind together, which helps enable smooth application.

Is Cetyl Alcohol "Alcohol Free"?

Products labeled “alcohol free” may still contain cetyl alcohol, or other fatty alcohols such as stearyl, cetearyl or lanolin alcohol. The term “alcohol,” used by itself, generally refers to ethanol (also known as ethyl alcohol or grain alcohol).

What is the difference between Cetearyl Alcohol and Cetyl Alcohol?

Cetyl alcohol is an ingredient in cetearyl alcohol, which is a mixture of cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol.