What is the purpose of cetyl alcohol in lotion?

Cetyl alcohol helps prevent creams from separating into oil and liquid. A chemical that helps to keep liquid and oil together is known as an emulsifier. It may also make a product thicker or increase the product’s ability to foam.

What does cetyl alcohol do to your skin?

As an emollient, cetyl alcohol has the ability to soften and smooth flakiness on the skin, which helps to reduce rough, dry skin. Emollients are also occlusive agents, which means they provide a layer of protection that helps prevent water loss from the skin.

What is cetyl alcohol used in?

Uses. Cetyl alcohol is used in the cosmetic industry as an opacifier in shampoos, or as an emollient, emulsifier or thickening agent in the manufacture of skin creams and lotions.

Can I use cetyl alcohol instead of cetearyl alcohol?

Cetearyl alcohol in skin care is completely safe! What we definitely wouldn’t recommend is using other, “simple” alcohols as alternatives to cetearyl alcohol as they will likely have the opposite effect on the skin–drying it out instead of hydrating it.

Why cetyl alcohol is in your favorite moisturizers?

Cetyl alcohol is a waxy-like solid added to lotions and creams to help stabilize and bind their ingredients together “to prevent them from separating into an oil or liquid,” according to New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Marina Peredo.

What is the difference between cetyl alcohol and cetearyl alcohol?

The key difference between cetyl alcohol and cetearyl alcohol is that cetyl alcohol is a single chemical compound, whereas cetearyl alcohol is a mixture of chemical compounds. Cetearyl alcohol is important as an emulsion stabilizer, opacifying agent, and a foam boosting surfactant.

Is stearyl alcohol safe for skin?

Who should use it: Stearyl alcohol has a long history of use, as well as numerous research studies proving its safety; all skin types can use it, says Lain. Works well with: It’s most often found in products requiring the combination of oils and waters, such as lotions and creams.

Does cetearyl alcohol cause wrinkles?

These alcohols may be capable of causing breakouts, skin irritation, and wrinkles, but they’re unlikely to pose a more serious hazard. These fatty alcohols include cetyl alcohol made from coconut oil, and stearyl alcohol which is made from coconut or vegetable oil.

Which is better cetyl alcohol or cetearyl alcohol?

Summary – Cetyl Alcohol vs Cetearyl Alcohol Cetyl alcohol is useful in the cosmetic industry as an opacifier in shampoos, as an emollient, emulsifier or thickening agent in skin creams and lotions. Cetearyl alcohol is important as an emulsion stabilizer, opacifying agent, and a foam boosting surfactant.

Is cetyl alcohol considered natural?

Cetearyl alcohol is a flaky, waxy, white solid that is a combination of cetyl and stearyl alcohols, which occur naturally in plants and animals. Cetyl and stearyl alcohols are often derived from coconut, palm, corn, or soy vegetable oil, typically from coconut palm trees, palm trees, corn plants, or soy plants.

Is cetyl alcohol natural?

Cetyl Alcohol NF is a, 95% pure and natural, fatty alcohol from Coconut Oil. The fatty alcohols are not at all similar to what you might think of when you think of alcohol, from petro or even the natural distilled grains, which would be drying to the skin.

Is cetyl alcohol considered alcohol?

In cosmetic labeling, the term “alcohol,” used by itself, refers to ethyl alcohol. Cosmetic products, including those labeled “alcohol free,” may contain other alcohols, such as cetyl, stearyl, cetearyl, or lanolin alcohol.

Does cetyl alcohol have side effects?

Cetyl Alcohol must never be used near the eyes, inner nose, and ears, or on any other particularly sensitive areas of skin. Potential side effects of Cetyl Alcohol include irritation, stinging, burning, redness, or inflammation. In the event of an allergic reaction, discontinue use of the product and see a doctor,…

Is ethyl alcohol harmful to the skin?

Ethyl alcohol, also called ethanol, is toxic in many of the same ways as isopropyl alcohol. Ethanol causes severe irritation of the eyes accompanied by extreme sensitivity to light. If used excessively as rubbing alcohol, it can cause irritation and redness of the skin 5. It may even cause cyanosis, which is a condition characterized by a blue coloration of the skin, in your extremities.

How does cetyl alcohol affect your hair?

Cetyl alcohol helps to seal the hair shaft so that the moisture stays where it belongs. This will keep your curls hydrated longer. It has a rough cuticle structure that causes the hair to appear frizzy and dry because the light is unable to reflect off of it. Cetyl alcohol smooths the cuticle which helps to improve hair’s sheen.