Cetyl Alcohol

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INCI name

  • CETYL ALCOHOL,

Alternative names

  • Hexadecan-1-ol,
  • alcohol cetylicus,
  • Cetanol,
  • Cetylalkohol,
  • Hexadecanol,
  • Hexadecylalkohol,
  • Zetylalkohol,
  • Palmityl Alcohol,
  • Cetyl Alkohol,

Origin

  • synthetic,

Definition

  • Octadecan-1-ol,

INCI function

  • emollient,
  • emulsifying,
  • tarnishing,
  • viscosity regulating,

Substance category

  • Fatty alcohols,

Characteristics

  • makes the skin supple and smoothes it
  • promotes the formation of intimate mixtures of immiscible liquids by changing their interfacial tension
  • reduces the transparency and translucency of cosmetic products
  • increases or decreases the viscosity of cosmetic products
  • approved for certified natural cosmetics

CAS-No.

  • 36653-82-4,

EINECS/EILINCS-No.

  • 253-149-0,

Studies, literature and statements

Kursbuch Kosmetik, page 45

Fatty alcohols are used as thickening agents and co-emulsifiers which make the skin smooth and soft. Such fatty alcohols are found in many products under the name of 'cetyl alcohol', 'benzyl alcohol', 'stearyl alcohol' or 'myristyl alcohol'. Cetyl alcohol is, for example, a white substance, often used as a consistency element, which is not only irritation-free and non-toxic, but also has the advantage of not becoming rancid.

Kosmetik-Inhaltsstoffe A-Z, page 91

Smoothing, retains oils. Reduces the evaporation of water on the skin. Earlier extracted from sperm whale oil as was cetyl palmitate from coconut or palm oil as an output product.

Wikipedia

Fatty alcohols are not mixable with water, but can be replaced with oleum or chlorosulphonic acid into fatty alcohol sulphate, which is very important as an anionic surfactant. In addition, fatty alcohols are the basic ingredients in many crèmes and salves.

Springer Lexikon Kosmetik, page 204

Occurrences: In plant fats and sebaceous glands. Makes the skin smooth and silky. Oil component, consistency giver.

Product examples