Product Description

Fatty Alcohol for Thickening, Texture & Emollience in Cosmetic Formulations

Cetyl Alcohol is a waxy fatty alcohol widely used in creams, lotions, hair conditioners, body-care and other cosmetic formulations as a consistency enhancer, emollient and co-emulsifier.

It helps increase body, thickness and stability while giving formulations a smooth, creamy texture and improved slip. Unlike drying alcohols such as ethanol or isopropyl alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol is a long-chain fatty alcohol valued for its soft, conditioning skin and hair feel.

It is particularly useful alongside Emulsifying Wax, BTMS-50 and other suitable emulsifying systems to improve the texture and sensory characteristics of finished products.

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

Product Specifications

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

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

Solubility:
Insoluble in water. Soluble/dispersible in oils and other compatible oil-phase ingredients when heated. Generally 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.

Key Benefits

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

Improves Texture — Creates a smoother, richer and more elegant consistency.

Emollient Feel — Helps leave skin and hair feeling soft and conditioned.

Improves Slip — Enhances glide and spreadability of cosmetic formulations.

Supports Emulsions — Works as a co-emulsifier and consistency enhancer alongside appropriate emulsifying systems.

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 caution while handling molten Cetyl 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 protected from moisture, direct sunlight and excessive heat.

FAQs

1. What is Cetyl Alcohol?
Cetyl Alcohol is a long-chain fatty alcohol commonly used as an emollient, consistency enhancer and co-emulsifier in cosmetic formulations.

2. Why is it called alcohol? Is it like ethanol?
No. Although chemically classified as an alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol is a waxy fatty alcohol and behaves very differently from ethanol or IPA.

3. Does Cetyl Alcohol dry the skin?
It should not be confused with volatile alcohols that can have a drying effect. Cetyl Alcohol is primarily used for its emollient, thickening and texture-enhancing properties.

4. What is Cetyl Alcohol mainly used for?
It is commonly used in creams, lotions, conditioners, hair masks, balms and other cosmetic formulations to improve thickness, structure, slip and feel.

5. Is Cetyl Alcohol a thickener?
Yes, it can function as a consistency enhancer/thickening agent in many cosmetic emulsions and anhydrous products.