Ingredient
Stearyl Alcohol
Octadecanol
1-Octadecanol
What it is
A fatty alcohol derived from plant or animal fats, used as a rich emollient and co-emulsifier/thickener; unlike short-chain "drying" alcohols such as ethanol, it is fatty and moisturizing rather than drying.
How it works
Its long saturated carbon chain integrates into the skin's lipid layers and stabilizes oil-water emulsions, adding body and preventing separation while leaving a soft, non-tacky finish.
What it does
Emollient
Emulsion stabiliser
Viscosity controlling
Concerns to know
-
Potentially pore-clogging
Rated comedogenic in common references; may contribute to congestion for acne-prone skin.