A solid fatty alcohol used as an emollient and thickener in creams and lotions.
Sources: 1Hexadecan-1-ol
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
Cetyl Alcohol
What it does
Makes emulsions feel richer and smoother. It should not be classified as a drying alcohol like ethanol.
Sources: 1Good for
- Cream and lotion 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
Rare contact reactions are possible, particularly in people with an established ingredient allergy.
Sources: 1Pairs well with
No supported pairings have been documented for this record.
Usage, safety and formulation details
Mechanism of action
Its long hydrocarbon chain contributes to the oil phase and the structure of an emulsion.
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
Usually used with other emulsifying ingredients; total formula architecture determines texture.
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
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
cetyl alcohol
Chemical identity and molecular structure
Chemical information
Chemical structure
| Detail | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| PubChem CID | 2682 | PubChem compound 2682: chemical identity |
| molecular formula | C16H34O | PubChem compound 2682: chemical identity |
| molecular weight | 242.44 g/mol | PubChem compound 2682: chemical identity |
| iupac name | hexadecan-1-ol | PubChem compound 2682: chemical identity |
Content updated 9 November 2026.
Sources (2)
Scientific sources
- CIR: Cetyl and cetearyl alcohol assessment recordsafety assessment
- PubChem compound 2682: chemical identitychemical identity
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