Cetearyl alcohol

Cetearyl alcohol (CAS 67762-27-0), also known as cetylstearyl alcohol or Alcohols C16-18, is a fatty alcohol blend used as an emulsifier and consistency agent.

Where is Cetearyl alcohol used?

• Personal care: emulsifier and consistency agent in creams and lotions
• Hair care: coats and detangles fiber in rinse-off conditioners and leave-in treatments
• Pharmaceutical topicals: stabilizes emulsion bases in ointments and creams
• Food: emulsifier and surface-finishing agent in select processed foods
• It stabilizes oil-in-water and water-in-oil systems while contributing body and texture.
• Insoluble in water and lipophilic; in emulsion processes added to the oil phase, heated to 60–75 °C and melted until a completely clear liquid phase forms before homogenizing with the water phase at the same temperature.
• In hair conditioner and hair mask manufacturing, combined with cetrimonium chloride or behentrimonium methosulfate at a 3:1 or 4:1 ratio to create a white consistency and an antistatic, shiny hair conditioner.
• Used to control or slow the dissolution rate of tablets or microspheres containing water-soluble or poorly water-soluble drugs and to stabilize amorphous systems.
• Emulsifying cetearyl alcohol (type A) is suitable for use in hydrophilic creams and skin emulsions.

Good to know: Standard grades include cosmetic/personal care, USP, BP, and Ph. Eur.; technical-grade material is available where pharmacopoeial certification is not required.

Formulation notes

• Recommended use level is 1–10% depending on product type and target viscosity.
• Cetearyl alcohol 30/70 has a melting point of approximately 48–56 °C, high consistency strength (lamellar gel network) and a rich, velvety, stable body.

Typical specification

• Acid value is ≤ 0.1 mg KOH/g.
• Hydroxyl value is 210–225 mg KOH/g.
• Assay is 95.00 to 100.00%.
• White waxy flake or pastille.

Regulatory status

• INCI name is Cetearyl Alcohol.
• Included in the German NRF standard formulations S.26 and S.27.
• The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) expert panel concluded that fatty alcohols including cetearyl alcohol are safe for use in cosmetic products.
• Included in the German DAC monograph for aqueous liniment SR.

Storage, packaging and handling

• Store in a cool (room temperature), dry place away from direct heat and sunlight in closed packaging.

Frequently asked questions about Cetearyl alcohol

When should viscosity and texture be measured after production?

The final viscosity and texture of the emulsion settle not at production time but 24 to 48 hours after production, so quality control viscosity measurements should be made on rested samples.

How does cetearyl alcohol function in sulfate-free systems?

It is used to provide structure in sulfate-free systems where surfactant viscosity is limited.

In which anhydrous applications is cetearyl alcohol used?

It is used in deodorant sticks to structure the stick matrix and improve payoff performance, and it works in water-free products like lipsticks.

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