Product Description
Cetearyl alcohol is just a mix of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol (C16) and stearyl alcohol (C18). Don't let the word "alcohol" throw you off – it's nothing like the drying, stinging stuff in hand sanitizers. It's a waxy, solid material that feels more like a soft wax than anything else. In cosmetics, it doesn't get marketed as a fancy "active ingredient," but it's one of those unsung workhorses that makes formulas feel and behave right.
So what does it actually do? Three main things: thickening, emulsifying, and conditioning. It helps lotions and creams stay creamy instead of runny. It also helps keep oil and water from separating. And on skin or hair, it leaves a smooth, soft after-feel – that's the "conditioning" part. If you've ever used a body lotion that felt rich but not greasy, or a hair conditioner that made your hair easy to comb, cetearyl alcohol was probably in there doing its job.
Formulators like it because it's reliable, cheap, and gentle. It doesn't cause allergies or irritation for most people (unlike some plant extracts or essential oils). It's also very stable – doesn't go rancid, doesn't react with other ingredients, and works across a wide pH range. That's why you find it in everything from basic drugstore creams to high-end serums.
In terms of use, you typically add it to the oil phase or the water‑oil mixture. It needs to be heated to around 60‑70°C to melt – because, well, it's a wax. Once melted, it blends easily. Use levels range from 0.5% to 5%. At the low end, it gives a bit of body to thin liquids. At 3‑5%, you get a thick, rich cream texture.
Our cetearyl alcohol is vegetable‑derived (mostly from coconut or palm kernel oil), with no animal sources. Typical purity is ≥90% combined cetyl and stearyl alcohols, measured by GC. Appearance is white to off‑white waxy flakes or pastilles, with a faint, non‑objectionable odor. Pack sizes go from 1 kg sample bags to 25 kg fiber drums. Third‑party certificates like Halal, Kosher, and RSPO are available.
If you're making creams, lotions, conditioners, or any product that needs a stable, pleasant texture without the drama – cetearyl alcohol is a solid, no‑nonsense choice. It's not exciting, but it works, and it's been working for decades.
Azelaic Acid Characteristics
Appearance: White to off-white waxy flakes, pastilles, or pellets. Looks like crushed wax.
Solubility: Insoluble in water. Can be dispersed in hot water but forms a milky emulsion. Soluble in hot oils, non‑polar solvents (mineral oil, isododecane), and some alcohols (ethanol, isopropanol). Needs heat to around 60‑70°C to melt – it's a wax.
Odor & Taste: Very faint, mild fatty smell. Not unpleasant. No taste – not that you'd eat it.
Chemical Properties: Stable at room temperature. Shelf life about 2 years if sealed. Not hygroscopic, not easily oxidized. Handles 70‑80°C without breaking down. Melting point range 48‑52°C (it's a blend, so no fixed melting point). Solidifies again when cooled – that's how it gives body to creams.
Test Method: Gas chromatography (GC) with FID to measure C16 and C18 content and ratio. Also melting point, acid value, hydroxyl value, iodine value, saponification value. Low acid value means less free fatty acids.
High Purity & Concentration: Vegetable‑derived (coconut/palm kernel oil). Hydrogenated, fractionated, and blended. Consistent batches. Total C16+C18 ≥90% (GC). C16 typically 30‑70%, C18 20‑70% – ratios can be adjusted for different textures. Acid value ≤0.5, iodine value ≤1 (highly saturated, resists oxidation). Loss on drying ≤0.5%. Mainly used as a thickener, emulsion stabilizer, and emollient in creams, lotions, conditioners, sunscreens. No preservative function – just makes textures smooth, stable, and non‑greasy.
COA (Certificate of Analysis)
| Item | Specification | Typical Result |
|---|---|---|
| Purity (C16 + C18, GC) | ≥ 90.0% | 92.5% |
| Loss on Drying | ≤ 0.5% | 0.2% |
| Residue on Ignition | ≤ 0.1% | 0.05% |
| Heavy Metals (as Pb) | ≤ 10 ppm | < 5 ppm |
| Lead (Pb) | ≤ 2 ppm | < 0.5 ppm |
| Arsenic (As) | ≤ 2 ppm | < 1 ppm |
| Melting Point (range) | 48.0 – 52.0°C | 50.2°C |
| Acid Value | ≤ 0.5 mg KOH/g | 0.2 |
| Iodine Value | ≤ 1.0 g I2/100g | 0.5 |
| Hydroxyl Value | 210 – 230 mg KOH/g | 222 |
Processing Technology
Product Benefits
Thickens formulas
Add a little, lotions stop being runny. Add more, you get a rich cream. Simple.
Smooth, non‑greasy feel
Goes on slippery but not heavy or sticky. In conditioners, it makes hair easier to comb.
Gentle, non‑irritating
Not like regular alcohol. No drying, no stinging. Safe for sensitive skin and baby products.
Plays well with others
Works with most oils, emulsifiers, thickeners. Fine with anionic or cationic systems.
Applications
Creams, lotions – The most common use. Adjusts thickness, stabilizes texture. Makes formulas smooth, not runny or gritty.
Conditioners, hair masks – Reduces frizz, leaves hair soft and easy to comb. Also helps stabilize the emulsion.
Sunscreens – Helps disperse physical filters (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) more evenly. Prevents settling and separation.
Body washes, facial cleansers – Add a little as a thickener and foam booster. Gives creamier foam, less drying after rinse.
Other Customizable Products (OEM / ODM)
We deliver end-to-end ODM/OEM solutions for Cetearyl alcohol-based formulations, transforming your concepts into market-ready products.
① Cooperation Models
OEM: Reproduce your formula with strict confidentiality and consistency
ODM: Full-service formulation, development, and manufacturing
② Key Process
Analysis & Design: Customized solutions based on your needs
Prototyping: Sample development with advanced hydrolysis control
Production: Certified manufacturing with rigorous quality testing
Why Choose Our Cetearyl alcohol?
Over a Decade of Expertise: 15+ years in specialty ingredient manufacturing
Natural Purity & Quality: Sourced from high-grade silicon precursors
Transparent & Traceable: Full documentation from raw material to final product
Advanced Technology: Proprietary stabilization methods for high bioavailability
Stable Supply Assurance: Robust supply chain and inventory management
Long-term Partnership: Committed to collaborative growth and customer success
FAQ
Q: Is it safe? Does it cause breakouts?
A: Very safe. The CIR has reviewed it multiple times and says it's safe in cosmetics. No irritation, low allergy risk, and doesn't absorb into skin. Very low comedogenicity – much gentler than some oils and emulsifiers. Most people with sensitive or acne‑prone skin tolerate it fine. But if you're extremely clog‑prone, test it yourself.
Q: How much should I use?
A:Depends how thick you want it. Thin lotions: 0.5‑1.5%. Regular creams: 1‑3%. Very thick balms: 3‑5%. Conditioners: typically 1‑3%. If you add too much, it might feel heavy or hard to spread. Stick to the recommended range.
Q:How do I add it to my formula? Is it a hassle?
A:Not really, but it doesn't dissolve in water – you need heat. Add it to the oil phase, or to the water‑oil mix, and heat to 65‑75°C to melt it. Then homogenize or stir. When it cools down, it solidifies again and gives structure to your cream. Don't try to stir it in cold – it'll clump up.
Q:Does it clash with any ingredients? Any things to avoid?
A:Almost never. It gets along with most oils, emulsifiers, thickeners, and preservatives. Works with anionic, cationic, and non‑ionic systems. The only thing – don't heat it for too long with strong acids or bases, but that's rarely an issue. Overall, it's a team player.
Q: What's special about using it in conditioners?
A:It smooths hair, reduces static, and makes combing easier. It also plays nicely with cationic conditioners (like polyquats or behentrimonium chloride) – no fighting. Many budget‑friendly conditioners rely on cetearyl alcohol as their main fatty component.
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