Cetyl Stearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetostearyl Alcohol, C16-18 Alcohol, 67762-27-0, 8005-44-5, 67762-30-5

Cetyl Stearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetostearyl Alcohol, C16-18 Alcohol, 67762-27-0, 8005-44-5, 67762-30-5

1. Cetyl Stearyl Alcohol (Cetearyl Alcohol): General Information, Functions, and Applications

What is Cetyl Stearyl Alcohol?
Cetyl Stearyl Alcohol, also known internationally as Cetearyl Alcohol (INCI name) or Cetostearyl Alcohol, is a versatile chemical ingredient widely used in the cosmetic and personal care industry. Chemically, it belongs to the class of fatty alcohols. It is important not to confuse it with drying alcohols like ethyl alcohol or isopropyl alcohol.

It is not a single chemical but a mixture consisting of two fatty alcohols:

• Cetyl Alcohol (C16)

• Stearyl Alcohol (C18)

By varying the ratios of these two components, different textures and properties can be achieved in the final product.

Sources:
It is typically derived from natural vegetable oils such as coconut oil or palm oil, making it a popular choice in natural and organic formulations.

Key Functions in Formulations:
Cetearyl Alcohol is a multi-functional ingredient that plays several critical roles:

1. Emulsifier & Stabilizer: It helps blend water and oil phases, which normally do not mix, to create a stable, homogeneous emulsion (like a lotion or cream). It prevents the product from separating.

2. Viscosity Increasing Agent (Thickener): It gives products a rich, creamy, and luxurious texture, making them easier to apply and giving them body.

3. Emollient (Softener): It forms a protective, non-greasy film on the skin or hair surface. This helps to lock in moisture, prevents dryness, and leaves a soft, smooth feel.

4. Opacifier: It can turn a translucent gel or liquid into a creamy, opaque white product, which is often aesthetically desired.

Common Application Areas:
You can find Cetearyl Alcohol in a vast range of products:

• Hair Care: Conditioners, shampoos (as a foam booster and anti-irritant), hair masks, leave-in treatments.

• Skin Care: Day and night creams, body lotions, facial cleansers, makeup removers, sunscreens, anti-aging creams, hand and foot creams.

• Other Personal Care: Deodorants, depilatory waxes, shaving creams, lip balms, mascaras, and foundations.

2. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and Answers About Cetearyl Alcohol

This section addresses the most common consumer concerns and questions found online.

Q1: Is Cetearyl Alcohol bad for my skin? Is it drying like regular alcohol?
A: No, it is not bad or drying. This is the most common misconception. "Alcohol" in chemistry refers to a large group of molecules. Unlike simple alcohols (like SD alcohol or denatured alcohol) that can strip the skin of its natural oils and cause irritation, Cetearyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. It is emollient, moisturizing, and soothing, making it beneficial for the skin.

Q2: Will it clog my pores? Is it comedogenic?
A: Generally, no. Cetearyl Alcohol has a low risk of clogging pores (low comedogenic rating). It is considered safe for most skin types, including oily and acne-prone skin. When combined with emulsifiers like Ceteareth-20, the mixture is widely regarded as non-comedogenic.

Q3: What is the difference between Cetyl Alcohol and Cetearyl Alcohol?
A: Cetyl Alcohol is a single ingredient (C16). Cetearyl Alcohol is a mixture of Cetyl Alcohol (C16) and Stearyl Alcohol (C18). This combination provides better emulsifying and stabilizing properties than using either one alone, making it the preferred choice in professional formulations.

Q4: Is it natural or synthetic?
A: It is often derived from natural sources. While it can be produced synthetically, the Cetearyl Alcohol used in cosmetics is most frequently derived from vegetable oils like coconut or palm oil, making it suitable for natural cosmetic labels.

Q5: What does it do in hair conditioners?
A: In conditioners, it serves two main purposes:

1. It acts as a thickener, giving the product its creamy consistency.

2. It acts as an emollient, coating the hair shaft to smooth the cuticle, reduce frizz, static electricity, and tangles, and add shine and softness.

Q6: Why does it say "Cetearyl Alcohol" on my product label?
A: "Cetearyl Alcohol" is the official INCI (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients) name. "Setil Stearil Alkol" is the Turkish translation. If you see "Cetearyl Alcohol" on an ingredient list, it is the exact same ingredient.

Q7: Is it safe to use every day?
A: Yes, it is considered very safe. Regulatory bodies like the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) in the US have deemed it safe for use in cosmetic products. It is a standard ingredient used daily by millions of people worldwide without issue.

3. Chemical and Physical Properties, CAS Numbers, and Other Names of Cetearyl Alcohol

This section provides the technical data sheet for the ingredient.

Identity and Synonyms

CAS (Chemical Abstracts Service) Numbers:

 Important Notes and Clarifications

1. EC Number Correction: Please note the correct associations for EC numbers:

   • 267-008-6 corresponds to CAS number 67762-27-0 .

   • 267-009-1 corresponds to CAS number 67762-30-5 .

2. What is an EC Number? The EC (European Community) number is an official identifier for substances within the European Union. It is used for regulatory purposes, such as classification and labeling under the CLP Regulation .

3. All Three Numbers are Valid: It is common for mixtures like Cetearyl Alcohol to have multiple CAS numbers across different databases. 67762-27-0, 8005-44-5, and 67762-30-5 are all accepted and used identifiers for this ingredient .

4. Difference in Scope: While 67762-27-0 and 8005-44-5 generally describe the C16-18 alcohol mixture, 67762-30-5 refers to a slightly broader range of C14-18 alcohols. In practice, however, 67762-30-5 is also used to identify the standard Cetearyl Alcohol mixture used in cosmetics .

Summary Table

Chemical Properties

Physical Properties

These properties explain its behavior in cosmetic products.

 Recommended Usage Levels (Concentrations)

The usage rate of Cetearyl Alcohol varies depending on the product type and the desired viscosity. It functions as a co-emulsifier and viscosity increasing agent, so it is almost always used in combination with a primary emulsifier (e.g., Olivem 900, Ceteareth-20, Glyceryl Stearate) to create a stable emulsion .

Important Note: Remember that Cetearyl Alcohol is not a primary emulsifier but a co-emulsifier and thickener. Therefore, to achieve a perfectly stable and smooth emulsion, it must be used in conjunction with a suitable primary emulsifier that matches your oil and water phases .

Emulsifiers to Combine with Cetearyl Alcohol (Generic Names)

Cetearyl Alcohol is not a primary emulsifier on its own; it must be combined with a stronger primary emulsifier to stabilize the oil and water phases. It functions as a co-emulsifier and viscosity increasing agent. Here are the most common generic combinations:

Summary and Selection Guide (Generic Names)

Important Note

Cetearyl Alcohol acts as a co-emulsifier and thickener, not a primary emulsifier. Therefore, to achieve a stable emulsion, it must always be used together with a suitable primary emulsifier that matches your formulation. Many of the combinations listed above are available as pre-blended products and can be used on their own.