Emollient, Emulsion Stabiliser

Cetearyl Alcohol

Cetearyl alcohol is a blend of cetyl (C16) and stearyl (C18) fatty alcohols, typically derived from palm or coconut oil. Despite the word 'alcohol', it is a fatty alcohol that is completely non-drying and non-irritating — it belongs to a different chemical family from drying alcohols such as denatured or SD alcohol. It functions as an emollient, thickener, and emulsion stabiliser, giving creams and lotions a smooth, rich texture.