Cetearyl Alcohol

INCI: CETEARYL ALCOHOL
Type: Emollient, emulsion stabilizer, viscosity increasing, opacifying
Origin: A fatty alcohol derived from vegetable oils (typically coconut or palm oil) via hydrogenation. It is actually a mixture of cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol, combining the benefits of both.

What it does:

Despite the name alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol is not drying or irritating. It is a waxy, emulsifying fatty alcohol that is essential for creating stable, luxurious cosmetic textures. Primary functions:

1. Emulsion stabilizer and co-emulsifier: Works alongside primary emulsifiers to create and maintain stable oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions, preventing separation and ensuring product consistency from first use to last.
2. Texture and viscosity builder: Adds body, richness, and a creamy, luxurious consistency to lotions and creams, significantly improving spreadability and the sensory experience of application.
3. Emollient: Provides immediate softening and smoothing of the skin’s surface, helping to reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL) by forming a protective, breathable film.
4. Opacifying agent: Contributes to the characteristic white, creamy appearance of emulsion products.

Why we use it:

We use vegetable-derived Cetearyl Alcohol as a foundational ingredient in emulsion chemistry. It is a key textural and stabilizing ingredient in our daily moisturizer and night cream. It allows us to achieve the rich, velvety, nourishing consistency for our formulas.