Cetyl Alcohol

Cetyl Alcohol

Cetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol commonly used in cosmetic and personal care formulations as a thickening, stabilising, and emollient ingredient. It helps improve the texture, consistency, and sensory feel of creams, lotions, conditioners, and other emulsion-based products while providing a smooth, soft after-feel on the skin and hair.

Properties

• Helps thicken and stabilise emulsions
• Provides a smooth, creamy texture
• Improves viscosity and consistency
• Enhances skin and hair softness
• Acts as an emollient and conditioning agent
• Improves spreadability in formulations
• Helps create a rich, luxurious sensory feel

Uses

• Creams & Lotions: 1–5%
• Body Butters: 1–10%
• Hair Conditioners: 1–5%
• Moisturisers: 1–5%
• Balms: 1–10%
• Cleansers: 0.5–3%
• Hair Styling Products: 0.5–5%
• Typically melted into the oil phase during formulation.

Warnings

• For external use only.
• Patch testing is recommended before use.
• Avoid contact with eyes.
• Store in a cool, dry place away from heat and moisture.

Notes

• Oil dispersible.
• Best incorporated into the heated oil phase of formulations.
• Often used alongside emulsifiers and fatty acids to improve formulation stability and texture.
• Contributes to thicker viscosities and a velvety skin feel in finished products.