Common Name(s): Fatty alcohol,co-emulsifier thickener,emollient emulsion stabiliser
CAS Number: N/a
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Thickens o/w emulsions by forming a lamellar crystal gel network with nonionic emulsifiers, provides co-emulsifier activity at the oil-water interface, and conditions skin from the c16-c18 chain's sc lipid compatibility.
Why It's Used: Fatty alcohols are irreplaceable in conventional o/w cream formulation โ the lamellar gel network they form with peg emulsifiers provides the thick, stable cream texture that consumers expect, while delivering emolliency unavailable from wax-only structuring.
How It Works: Cetyl/stearyl alcohol packs into ฮฑ-gel or ฮฒ-gel crystal phases with peg surfactants (ceteareth-20, polysorbates) at 60โ80ยฐc, forming an ordered lamellar bilayer network on cooling. this network provides zero-shear viscosity (cream texture) and mechanical emulsion stability simultaneously โ the fundamental mechanism of classical o/w cream formulation.
Typically Found In: Creams,lotions,o/w emulsions
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Functional ingredient โ emollient
Secondary Functions: Barrier sealing,softening
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 1%โ15%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes - standard ethanol routes are non-animal; confirm denaturant origin
Halal Status: Conditional - ethanol production route and residual concentration; jurisdiction-dependent, refer to certifier stance
Source Notes: Plant-derived, synthetic or animal-derived. verify source. [audit 2026-07-29 rev2: ethanol pathway; determination depends on route, on whether the plant also produces beverage alcohol, and on residual concentration. determination requires shariah-panel sign-off.]
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 1/5 โ low; formulation-dependent
Sensitivity Concerns: Non-irritating.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Excellent safety profile. ewg score: 1.
Works Well With: Humectants,ceramides,actives as carrier
Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
The fatty alcohol + peg emulsifier ratio is critical: 1:3 (fatty alcohol:peg emulsifier by weight) typically provides optimal lamellar gel network formation and cream texture. deviating from this ratio shifts the phase structure from lamellar gel to micellar, reducing viscosity.
Last Verified: 2026-03-12
Primary Sources: Cosing database,fatty alcohol lamellar gel cream texture review