INCI Line: INCI: Cetearyl Alcohol - Also known as: Cetostearyl Alcohol, C16-18 Fatty Alcohol, Emulsifying Wax
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Key |
Value |
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INCI Name |
Cetearyl Alcohol |
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Category |
Fatty Alcohol / Emulsifier / Texture Modifier |
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Concentration in Formula |
Functional emulsifier level in the Elasticity Reinforcing Lipid-Cream |
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Suitable For |
All skin types; particularly relevant for dry and dehydrated skin in the Lipid-Cream context |
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Origin |
Plant-derived (typically from coconut or palm kernel oil via reduction of fatty acids) |
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Irritation Risk |
Low - despite the name, fatty alcohols are not irritating in the way short-chain alcohols are |
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Comedogenic Rating |
2 |
Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol - a category that shares the word "alcohol" with isopropyl and ethanol but shares none of their skin-drying or irritating properties. The "alcohol" in fatty alcohols refers only to the presence of a hydroxyl (-OH) functional group attached to a long carbon chain, not to any of the short-chain alcohol characteristics associated with astringency or barrier disruption. Cetearyl alcohol is specifically a mixture of cetyl alcohol (C16) and stearyl alcohol (C18), two saturated fatty alcohols that are naturally present in small amounts in many plant waxes.
As a cosmetic ingredient, cetearyl alcohol is valued for its role as both an emulsifier and an emollient wax. Its amphiphilic character - with a hydrophilic hydroxyl head and a hydrophobic carbon chain - allows it to stabilize oil-in-water emulsions by reducing the interfacial tension between the water and oil phases. At the same time, its solid-at-room-temperature wax structure contributes to the body and richness of cream formulations, giving them the texture consistency that allows actives to be applied evenly and remain in contact with the skin for longer.
At Sweet Chemistry, cetearyl alcohol is specific to the Elasticity Reinforcing Lipid-Cream, where it plays a structural role in the formula's emulsion architecture. Its presence alongside cetearyl olivate and sorbitan olivate - the olivem emulsifier system also used in the Hydra-Cream - creates the particularly rich, skin-like texture that characterizes the Lipid-Cream's emollient radiant finish.
Cetearyl alcohol's contribution to the skin's surface is twofold. As an emollient fatty alcohol, it is associated with softening the stratum corneum by filling in the microscopic gaps between corneocytes and contributing to the surface lipid environment - a property that produces the immediately perceptible skin-softening effect associated with rich creams. Unlike silicone-based smoothing agents that sit on top of skin without integrating, fatty alcohols are structurally compatible with the skin's own intercellular lipid environment and are studied in connection with a degree of integration into the outermost lipid layers.
As an emulsion stabilizer, cetearyl alcohol's most important function is ensuring that the Lipid-Cream's oil and water phases remain combined and evenly distributed throughout the product's shelf life. In a formula carrying 3% Matrikynes® peptides, 2% THD ascorbate, three ceramide types, and a panel of botanical seed oils, emulsion stability directly determines whether those actives reach the skin in their intended concentrations with every application. A formula that separates over time is a formula that underdelivers.
Cetearyl alcohol is not a claim ingredient - it will not appear in the headline benefits of the Lipid-Cream. But its formulation-level contribution is real: it is the structural element that holds the Lipid-Cream together as the rich, stable, skin-like emulsion it needs to be for the active ingredients within it to function effectively.
In 1 Formula
Cetearyl alcohol is specific to the Elasticity Reinforcing Lipid-Cream, where its fatty alcohol character contributes to the formula's distinctive emollient richness and stable emulsion structure.
Elasticity Reinforcing Lipid-Cream Cetearyl Alcohol - 1.7 oz / 50 ml
An active-enriched, lightweight yet deeply nourishing moisturizer carrying 3% Matrikynes® peptides, 2% THD ascorbate, three ceramide types, shea butter, sea buckthorn, jojoba, and the full amino acid complex. Cetearyl alcohol contributes the emollient wax structure that gives this formula its radiant finish and ensures emulsion stability across its full shelf life.
Natural Emulsifier Cetearyl Olivate + Sorbitan Olivate
INCI: Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate.
The olivem-based natural emulsifier system present in both the Hydra-Cream and Lipid-Cream. Synergy Note: Cetearyl alcohol and the cetearyl olivate / sorbitan olivate pair work together as the emulsion architecture of the Lipid-Cream - the olivem system provides natural emulsification while cetearyl alcohol adds fatty wax body and texture structure.
Plant Butter Shea Butter
INCI: Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter.
Present in the Lipid-Cream as a rich emollient butter alongside cetearyl alcohol. Synergy Note: Shea butter provides emollient richness through fatty acids and unsaponifiables; cetearyl alcohol provides emollient structure through fatty wax character - together they create the Lipid-Cream's distinctive radiant yet non-greasy finish.
Barrier Lipid Complex Ceramide EOP, AP, NP
INCI: Ceramide EOP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide NP.
The full three-ceramide barrier system in the Lipid-Cream. Synergy Note: Cetearyl alcohol's emulsification role creates the stable emulsion vehicle through which the ceramide complex is delivered to the skin - formula stability and barrier lipid delivery are directly connected.
ECM Peptide Complex Matrikynes® Bone Peptides
INCI: Hydrolyzed Cow Bone Extract.
At 3% in all four formulas, associated with improvements in the appearance of skin density and aging signs. Synergy Note: Cetearyl alcohol contributes to the emulsion stability that ensures Matrikynes® peptides are consistently delivered at their full 3% concentration throughout the Lipid-Cream's shelf life and use cycle.
