The Beauty Signal
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Cetearyl Alcohol

aka cetostearyl alcohol · 1-hexadecanol + 1-octadecanol blend

Fatty alcohol blend essential in conditioning haircare emulsions. Provides emulsification, conditioning, and opacifying function simultaneously.

Benefits
  • Emulsification — stabilises W/O and O/W emulsions
  • Conditioning — reduces hair cuticle friction
  • Opacifying agent in shampoos and conditioners
  • Emollient skin feel
  • Thickens and stabilises emulsions
Example uses
  • Conditioning shampoos
  • Hair masks
  • Rinse-out conditioners
  • Body moisturisers
  • Purple shampoo formulas
Formulation notes

Melts into oil phase (mp ~52°C). Compatible with both anionic and cationic surfactants when properly incorporated.

Watchouts

Generally well-tolerated. Occasional sensitisation. The 'alcohol' name causes consumer confusion — fatty alcohols do not share the drying profile of ethanol.

Clean beauty perception

Generally accepted in clean beauty. The 'alcohol' name causes confusion leading some clean brands to avoid it unnecessarily.