Cetyl alcohol

Cetyl alcohol (CAS 36653-82-4), also known as palmityl alcohol, is a long-chain fatty alcohol derived primarily from vegetable or animal sources. FEMA 2554.

Where is Cetyl alcohol used?

• Personal care: emulsifier, emollient and thickener in creams, lotions and conditioners
• Hair care: adds slip and body, coating the hair shaft to reduce friction during combing
• Food: flavoring agent and release agent or surface modifier in processed foods
• Industrial: lubricity additive and emulsion stabilizer in lubricants and metalworking fluids, improving film formation on metal surfaces
• Used as an opacifier in shampoos.
• In suppositories, used to raise the melting point of the base; in modified-release dosage forms, used to create a permeable barrier coating.

Formulation notes

• As an emulsion stabilizer, used at 1–5%.
• As a thickener, used at 2–8%.
• In stick and balm formulations, used at 5–20%.

Typical specification

• C16-98 grade has a minimum C16 content of 98%.
• Soluble in alcohol, acetone, benzene, ether, and chloroform; insoluble in water.

Regulatory status

• INCI name is Cetyl Alcohol.
• Has a European Pharmacopoeia (EP) reference standard.

Frequently asked questions about Cetyl alcohol

Can cetyl alcohol be used as the sole emulsifier in an emulsion?

No, it is not an emulsifier on its own; it is generally used together with other emulsifiers.

Technical content is compiled and updated by the SoleChem product team from public technical sources; the certificate of analysis (COA) governs product-specific specifications.