Ingredient
Cetyl Alcohol
Palmityl Alcohol
1-Hexadecanol
Cetanol
What it is
A fatty alcohol derived from coconut/palm oil (or synthesized), used as a rich emollient and co-emulsifier that thickens creams and lotions.
How it works
Forms a smooth, cushioning film on the skin and helps stabilize oil-and-water emulsions, unlike the short-chain 'drying' alcohols such as denatured or isopropyl alcohol it is often confused with.
What it does
Emollient
Emulsion stabiliser
Viscosity controlling
Concerns to know
-
Well tolerated
No significant safety concern is reported for this ingredient as used in cosmetics.