Cetearyl alcohol is an alcohol that is often used in skincare products to thicken products, add moisture, emulsify, and facilitate product application. This alcohol is safe for the skin, and the risk of irritation is small.
Many people avoid beauty products and treatments that contain alcohol because they are thought to cause dry skin and trigger irritation. It should prevent not all types of alcohol used in beauty products. One type of alcohol that is safe for Skincare is Cetearyl alcohol.
What is Cetearyl alcohol?
Cetearyl alcohol is a white, waxy substance that is solid at room temperature. Naturally, this substance comes from vegetable oils such as:
- Coconut oil
- Palm oil
- Soybean oil
It can also find this compound in small amounts in animals and plants. Meanwhile, those made in the laboratory are used for Cetearyl alcohol in care products such as lotions, creams, or shampoos.
Chemically, Cetearyl alcohol belongs to the group of fatty alcohols or fatty alcohols. This substance is a product made from two other fatty alcohols, namely cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol, as the main components.
On cosmetic and personal care product packaging, Cetearyl alcohol is sometimes listed on the ingredient label as cetostearyl alcohol, cetyl/stearyl alcohol, or C16-18 alcohol.
Benefits of Cetearyl alcohol
The use of Cetearyl alcohol in skincare and beauty products can provide a variety of benefits, including:
1. Emulsifier
Cetearyl alcohol in care products can help the ingredients in these products remain mixed or appropriately emulsified. This substance is the key to keeping the formula stable and effective so that the oily and water-based components in the product do not separate.
2. Make it easy to apply the product evenly.
One of the beneficial properties of skincare products is that they are easy to apply to the skin and absorb quickly. The use of Cetearyl alcohol will give Skincare these benefits. When the ingredients in the product mix well, the product will also be easier to apply to the skin evenly.
3. Thicken Skincare
The oily consistency of Cetearyl alcohol makes cosmetic products have a smoother and softer texture. The product also becomes easier to make a lot of foam. By making the texture thicker, the product will also be easier to spread on the skin and more evenly.
4. Moisturizing
Another benefit of Cetearyl alcohol is that it acts as an emollient, making skin look and feel softer. This material will fill in cracks and uneven skin surfaces to moisturize dry skin conditions.
Is Cetearyl alcohol safe for the skin?
Alcohol has been widely used in several skincare products. The reason is, this ingredient is effective for drying oily skin and tightening the skin quickly.
However, the use of alcohol such as ethanol can make the skin very dry, which may cause itching, peeling, and peeling of the skin.
Cetearyl alcohol belongs to the group of fatty alcohols that do not cause a drying effect on the skin. It is due to the difference in chemical structure between Cetearyl alcohol and other types of alcohol in general.
Even Cetearyl alcohol will form an oily layer on the top of the skin to maintain moisture and make the skin feel smooth. Therefore, Cetearyl alcohol and other fatty alcohol groups have been declared safe in cosmetic products.
Clinical trials of this compound have shown that Cetearyl alcohol:
- Has no significant toxicity
- Includes non-mutagenic substances or non-chemical agents that can change DNA. DNA changes can potentially lead to certain diseases such as cancer.
- Does not irritate the skin
- Included in safe food additives
However, as with many other skincare products, there is still a risk of an allergic reaction for those who are sensitive to Cetearyl alcohol, although the risk is small.
Other types of alcohol that are safe for the face
All fatty alcohol groups are included in the type of alcohol that is safe for the skin. In addition to Cetearyl alcohol, here are some types of alcohol that are safe for the face:
- Cetyl alcohol
- Stearyl alcohol
- Isostearyl alcohol
- Myristyl alcohol
- Behenyl alcohol
Here are some facts about Cetearyl alcohol. Although rare, Cetearyl alcohol can trigger allergic reactions in some people. You should be careful if you have sensitive skin.
Stop using it immediately and contact your doctor if you experience irritation or swelling after using a product containing Cetearyl alcohol.
