A mixture of fatty alcohols, mainly cetyl and stearyl alcohol, used in creamy products.
Sources: 1Cetostearyl alcohol
Not assessed
No pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific assessment has been completed for this record. A cosmetic safety review is not a pregnancy rating.
Not assessed
Cetearyl Alcohol
What it does
Adds body, emollience and emulsion support. It is different from fast-evaporating ethanol.
Sources: 1Good for
- Cream texture
- Dry-feeling skin
How to use it
Use as part of the finished cream or lotion. This fatty alcohol is different from applying ethanol to skin.
Sources: 1Who should be careful
Fatty alcohols are often tolerated by dry skin, although contact allergy can occur in some people.
Sources: 1Pairs well with
No supported pairings have been documented for this record.
Usage, safety and formulation details
Mechanism of action
Long fatty chains contribute to lipid phases and emulsion structure.
Sources: 1Potential adverse effects
Contact reactions are possible in susceptible individuals; not every product reaction can be attributed to the fatty alcohol.
Sources: 1Formulation considerations
The cetyl-to-stearyl ratio varies by grade, so a single compound image would be misleading.
Sources: 1Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Not assessed
No pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific assessment has been completed for this record. A cosmetic safety review is not a pregnancy rating.
Safety tags
- Fragrance allergen
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
- Essential oil
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
- Drying alcohol
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
- May irritate sensitive skin
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
What remains uncertain
- Exact concentration, final pH and the full composition of any unprovided finished product
- Exact material, composition and supplier-grade specifications
Clinical evidence and research
Clinical evidence
Evidence for its main benefitNot assessed
The cited references support identity, formulation role or safety context. No standalone clinical efficacy rating has been completed for the main benefit in this draft.
Sources: 1Regulation and ingredient label names
Regulatory information
No jurisdiction-specific assessment is recorded. An inventory listing is not blanket approval.
Names on ingredient lists
cetearyl alcohol
Chemical identity and molecular structure
Chemical information
Chemical structure
No single structure to show yet
This ingredient represents a mixture, extract, polymer or ingredient family. A single molecular diagram may not describe its composition.
| Detail | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| material scope | Variable material or ingredient family: no single molecular formula, molecular weight or bond diagram describes every grade. | CIR: Cetyl and cetearyl alcohol assessment record |
Content updated 9 November 2026.
Keep exploring: ingredient library or build your skincare routine.
