Common Name(s): 1-hexadecanol,palmityl alcohol,n-cetyl alcohol

CAS Number: 36653-82-4

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Provides c16 fatty alcohol emolliency and thickening for well-textured cosmetic emulsions.

Why It's Used: Lighter-textured fatty alcohol alternative to stearyl alcohol for creams and conditioners requiring less heavy emolliency.

How It Works: C16 chain length provides slightly lower melting point (49°c) than stearyl (60°c) giving softer, lighter emulsion texture. forms lamellar networks for thickening and stability. direct skin and hair conditioning via fatty alcohol film.

Typically Found In: Creams,hair conditioners,lotions

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Functional ingredient – fatty alcohol

Secondary Functions: Barrier sealing,softening

Application Areas:

Typical Concentration Range: 1%–15%

SOURCING & ETHICS

Vegan Status: Yes - standard ethanol routes are non-animal; confirm denaturant origin

Halal Status: Conditional - ethanol production route and residual concentration; jurisdiction-dependent, refer to certifier stance

Source Notes: Plant-derived, synthetic or animal-derived. verify source. [audit 2026-07-29 rev2: ethanol pathway; determination depends on route, on whether the plant also produces beverage alcohol, and on residual concentration. determination requires shariah-panel sign-off.]

SKIN COMPATIBILITY

Irritancy Rating: 1/5 – very low

Comedogenicity Rating: 1/5 – low; formulation-dependent

Sensitivity Concerns: Non-irritating.

Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes

SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY

Safety Profile: Excellent safety profile. ewg score: 1.

Works Well With: Humectants,ceramides,actives as carrier

Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities

SCIENTIFIC NOTE

Cetyl alcohol's c16 chain length is at the approximate thermal transition point for fatty alcohol lamellar crystallization at skin temperature (33°c). this transition (from ordered crystalline to disordered liquid phase near skin temperature) provides the characteristic 'melts on application' sensory profile that makes cetyl alcohol-containing products feel cooling and light on initial application.

Last Verified: 2026-03-12

Primary Sources: Cosing database,cir safety assessment