Description

Cetyl Alcohol – The Skin-Friendly Fatty Alcohol That Loves Your Skin & Hair

Forget everything you thought you knew about “alcohol” in skincare, Cetyl Alcohol isn’t that harsh, drying type. It’s a naturally derived, skin-loving fatty alcohol obtained from Coconut Oil (or sometimes Palm Oil) that works wonders as a thickener, emollient, and stabilizer in both skin and hair care formulations.

Also known as Palmityl Alcohol, this ingredient is a multi-tasking marvel that adds luxurious slip and body to formulations without compromising hydration or texture. Far from stripping moisture, Cetyl Alcohol locks it in, helping products feel rich, creamy, and ultra-smooth on application.

Product Details:

INCI Name: Cetyl Alcohol

Appearance: White, waxy pellets
Solubility: Oil-soluble
Melting Point: ~55°C
Country of Origin: Germany
Manufacturer’s Suggested Usage: 0.5–10% (add to oil phase)
Note: Using higher concentrations may cause soaping in emulsions. For best results, heat oil and water phases to 70°C before combining.

What It Does:

• Acts as a  thickener and stabilizer, improving the consistency and texture of emulsions.

• Functions as an emollient and moisturizer, leaving skin soft and hair silky-smooth.

• Enhances spreadability, glide, and creaminess of lotions, butters, and conditioners.

• Boosts emulsion stability, helping oil and water stay perfectly blended.

• Provides non-greasy richness to formulas,  ideal for premium skincare and haircare lines.

Common Uses:

• Creams, lotions, and body butters

• Hair conditioners and masks

• Lotion bars and balms

• Shaving creams

• Whipped body butters and serums

Combine with emulsifying wax  as a co-emulsifier to Improve stability. Pair with  Cetearyl Alcohol or BTMS-50 Conditioning Emulsifier for enhanced stability and conditioning performance, or combine with Stearic Acid to build body and structure in your emulsions.

Formulation Tip:

For best performance, Add Cetyl Alcohol to your oil phase and heat both phases to at least 70°C before emulsifying. This ensures proper melting and even dispersion for a smooth, stable finish.

Looking for more natural emulsifiers and thickeners? Explore Emulsifying Wax NF, Cetearyl Alcohol, and BTMS-25 Conditioning Emulsifier — or go fully plant-based with Vegetal Emulsifier or Olivem 1000 for a silky, luxurious finish in your next formulation.

Disclaimer:

This product is a cosmetic raw material for external use only. It should not be ingested or used directly on the skin without proper formulation.  Information provided is for educational purposes only and not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

At Skin Foodie, we source only premium-grade ingredients that deliver superior texture, stability, and sensory feel in your formulations.