Product Description

Fatty Alcohol for Thickening, Stabilising & Improving Cosmetic Texture

Cetostearyl Alcohol (Cetearyl Alcohol) is a waxy fatty alcohol widely used in creams, lotions, hair conditioners and other cosmetic formulations as a consistency enhancer, emollient, co-emulsifier and emulsion stabiliser.

It helps give formulations body, thickness and a rich creamy texture, while also improving spreadability and the overall sensory feel of the finished product.

Cetostearyl Alcohol is commonly combined with Emulsifying Wax, GMS, BTMS-50 and other suitable emulsifying or conditioning systems to improve structure and stability.

Despite the word “alcohol,” it is a fatty alcohol and should not be confused with volatile alcohols such as ethanol or IPA.

Suitable for:
Creams • Lotions • Body Creams • Hair Conditioners • Hair Masks • Hair Creams • Balms • Body Butters • DIY Cosmetics

Product Specifications

Appearance:
White to off-white waxy flakes, beads, pellets or granules.

Odour:
Practically odourless to mild characteristic fatty/waxy odour.

Solubility:
Insoluble in water. Soluble/dispersible in oils and compatible oil-phase ingredients when heated. Normally incorporated into the heated oil phase of cosmetic formulations.

Shelf Life:
Typically 24 months from the date of manufacture when stored correctly in the original tightly closed container.

Composition:
A mixture predominantly consisting of Cetyl Alcohol and Stearyl Alcohol. The exact ratio and specification depend on the supplied grade.

Key Benefits

Adds Thickness & Body — Helps build viscosity and structure in creams, lotions and conditioners.

Improves Emulsion Stability — Supports properly formulated emulsions and helps improve their physical structure.

Rich, Creamy Texture — Helps create fuller, more luxurious-feeling products.

Emollient Properties — Contributes softness and a smooth after-feel.

Co-Emulsifying Support — Works alongside appropriate primary emulsifiers.

Versatile Texture Modifier — Useful across skincare, body-care and haircare formulations.

Safety Information

For cosmetic and DIY formulation use only.

Do not ingest.

Avoid direct contact of raw material with eyes. In case of accidental eye contact, rinse thoroughly with clean water.

Avoid inhaling dust or fine particles if generated during handling.

Use clean, dry equipment and protect the material from contamination.

Exercise care when handling molten Cetostearyl Alcohol and heated formulation phases.

Patch testing of the finished cosmetic formulation is recommended before regular use.

Keep out of reach of children.

Store tightly closed in a cool, dry place away from moisture, direct sunlight and excessive heat.

FAQs

1. What is Cetostearyl Alcohol?
Cetostearyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol blend, generally consisting mainly of Cetyl Alcohol and Stearyl Alcohol, used in cosmetic formulations for texture, thickness, emollience and emulsion support.

2. Is Cetostearyl Alcohol the same as Cetearyl Alcohol?
Yes. Cetearyl Alcohol is the commonly used INCI terminology. “Cetostearyl Alcohol” is another widely used name for the cetyl/stearyl fatty alcohol mixture.

3. Is Cetostearyl Alcohol like ethanol or IPA?
No. It is a solid waxy fatty alcohol and behaves very differently from volatile alcohols such as ethanol and Isopropyl Alcohol.

4. Does Cetostearyl Alcohol dry the skin?
It should not be confused with volatile alcohols commonly associated with a drying effect. Cetostearyl Alcohol is primarily used as an emollient and consistency-building fatty alcohol.

5. What is Cetostearyl Alcohol used for?
It is widely used in creams, lotions, conditioners, hair masks, balms and body-care formulations to improve thickness, texture and stability.