Even though cetearyl alcohol is a safe ingredient, you should know some people are allergic to it. 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.
It also thickens products.
Thanks to its emulsifying and emollient properties, the ingredient helps formulas stay consistent, thick, and creamy. Some alcohols may cause our delicate curly hair to be dried and frizzy, and we do well to avoid those in most cases. However, other alcohols, such as cetyl alcohol, can help to condition our hair and make it soft and manageable.
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Cetyl alcohol makes hair products thick and creamy by improving consistency, viscosity, and adhesion. This improves their texture and gives them slip, enabling them to move between hair strands and evenly distribute the product. Always read labels carefully and opt for products with natural, hair-nourishing ingredients whenever possible. That way, you can ensure that your hair is getting the care it deserves!
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If you develop irritation or swelling after using a product with cetearyl alcohol, consider if it was caused by another ingredient. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)1, "alcohol-free" refers to the lack of ethyl alcohol—not alcohol in general. Cetearyl alcohol is not an ingredient that’s used for its actual effects on the skin but more so for the composition and function of the product as a whole, according to Shah.
What is cetearyl alcohol? Function in skin and hair care - Medical News Today
What is cetearyl alcohol? Function in skin and hair care.
Posted: Thu, 10 Feb 2022 08:00:00 GMT [source]
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This makes it a great thickener in cosmetics and other beauty products. According to the FDA, even cosmetic products labeled “alcohol-free” are allowed to contain cetearyl alcohol and other fatty alcohols. Cetearyl alcohol is also included on the FDA list of safe and permitted food additives.
In today's hair care landscape, cetearyl alcohol continues to play a significant role. Cetearyl alcohol serves as a thickener in hair products, providing the desired viscosity and volume without weighing the hair down. While cetearyl alcohol will stabilize emulsions it is not an emulsifier on its own, and will not work in formulas designed to work with a complete emulsifying wax. I have found it sold as “emulsifying wax O”, which is really quite misleading. Otherwise, the active ingredients will spread unevenly—which defeats the purpose of using product to begin with. Cetearyl alcohol prevents this by keeping the ingredients together, like a neat and tidy package.
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However, Cetearyl alcohol should not be used in conjugation with Ceteareth-20 as it is comedogenic and can clog the pores. Fatty alcohols are often referred to as long-chain alcohols due to their chemical formula. This versatile ingredient offers a multitude of benefits that can improve the overall health and appearance of your hair.
Debunking the Common Misconceptions of Cetearyl Alcohol for Hair
It’s a waxy white powder at room temperature and may also be in the form of white flakes. It’s added to both leave-in and rinse-out hair conditioning products. Co-founder of Curl Centric® and Natural Hair Box, Kenneth has dedicated himself to promoting ethical and scientifically-backed hair care practices. Rigorous editorial guidelines, industry recognitions, and features in numerous media outlets evidence his expertise.
Cetearyl alcohol is also an emollient, which means it can make the skin look and feel softer, says Frey. It works by filling in cracks and uneven surfaces—the culprits behind dry skin. Even then, cetearyl alcohol isn't used in skin care products for this reason. It's kind of like an extra perk that proves just how diverse alcohols can be.
You’ve probably heard that alcohol is bad for hair because it has a drying effect. That’s partly true, but there are many types of alcohol, and not all alcohols are bad for your hair. Technical-grade cetearyl alcohol is a mixture of cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. Moroccanoil Curl Defining Cream and Moroccanoil Hydrating Styling Cream are two of my favorite products that are rich in this fatty alcohol!
Notably, its use is deemed safe, posing no irritation or discomfort to either the scalp or skin. This is why long chain alcohols yield emulsion products that are firm, thick, and viscous, boasting excellent lubrication and superior resilience to washing. Cetearyl alcohol performs several functions in hair care formulations. Contrastingly, cetearyl alcohol has a longer carbon chain, still attached to the hydroxyl group. The longer the carbon chain, the higher the melting point, turning the substance into a waxy solid. Alcohols in chemistry refer to organic molecules with a hydroxyl group attached to a carbon chain.
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