The Index · Fatty alcohol co-emulsifier
Cetyl Alcohol
Cetyl Alcohol
C16 fatty alcohol used to thicken and stabilize oil-in-water creams.
FunctionalFunctional ingredient, not graded for skin benefits
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C16 fatty alcohol used to thicken and stabilize oil-in-water creams.
What it does
Improves cream structure and skin slip without ethanol-type dryness.
The evidence
Functional ingredient (not graded for skin benefits): CIR-reviewed fatty alcohol. Credible chemical identity and cosmetic-use context come from CIR/SCCS/manufacturer INCI definitions and databases such as SpecialChem/PubChem[1].
How to use it
Expect this as a supporting INCI line item unless labeled as a featured active.
What it does in the formula
Functional ingredient — not graded for skin benefits
C16 fatty alcohol used to thicken and stabilize oil-in-water creams.[1]
Safety & limits
Source and region, always
all — Used in cosmetics within conventional leave-on/rinse-off levels; see cited safety literature.[1] CA US EU UK
Sources · 2
Numbered as cited in the text
- [1]Cosmetic Ingredient Review. Fatty Alcohols. CIR (2018)regulator
- [2]SpecialChem. SpecialChem INCI profile: Cetyl Alcohol. SpecialChem (2024)other
Revision history
18 Sept 2026Drafted by botTheSkindex Desk