However, with sperm whales now being endangered, modern production has taken over. Address: 1968 S. Coast Hwy Suite 4026, Laguna Beach, CA 92651, United States. The first batch of cetyl alcohol I had was much finer, as you can see in the photos from my initial experiments with it Happy making! Without cetyl alcohol or ingredients like it, hair care products wouldnt be nearly as easy to use. Carbomers are synthetic polymers of acrylic acid, which manufacturers include in many products, including cosmetics. Are Other Hair Alcohols Good? Some products are exactly what weve been looking for, and others have questionable ingredients that were told to avoid at all costs. It has a range of useful properties. Conforms to. 2005 2023 American Chemistry Council, Inc. It also stabilizes products that contain a mixture of oil and water, and changes the thickness of liquids. I really capitalized on cetyl alcohols powdery, silky finish for this solid luminizer. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. . Grab the closest skin-care product to you, and look at its ingredient list chances are high cetyl alcohol makes an appearance at the top of the list, near good ol' water. They help prevent water loss from the outer layer of the skin and give products a creamier consistency. the good: Helps to improve the texture of formulations, protect the skin from moisture loss and reduce the ability of allergens and bacteria to affect the skin. Thats all good! Ingredients Dictionary: Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetostearyl Alcohol So, in addition to its hair-loving benefits, cetyl alcohol helps improve the texture of a product by making it smoother and easier to apply. In emulsions 34% adds wonderful lightweight thickening to the end product, making it thicker without making it heavier. Why Is Cetyl Alcohol in Skin-Care Products? - Allure Its a strong thickener without the weight and tack of waxes. Lifecell Ingredients: Pros and Cons They Dont Tell You, 11 Anti-Aging Tips for Your 30s: Dont Let Your 30s Age You, Is Clinique Bad for Your Skin? It thickens formulas while adding body, binding ingredients together. Is cetyl alcohol bad for hair? Manufacturers also use this ingredient to alter the texture and performance of their formulas. The name cetyl derives from the whale oil (cetacea oil, from Latin: cetus, lit. Cetyl alcohol is a hybrid of alcohols and fatty acids or oils and . It is a fatty alcohol and can also act as an emulsifier, giving proper texture to our products. Cetyl alcohol is produced synthetically by the reduction of palmitic acid (derived from palm oil) with potassium hydroxide. In: Matijevi E. (eds) Surface and Colloid Science. Hi, Is cetyl alcohol the same as stearyl alcohol? Experts widely accept cetearyl alcohol as a safe ingredient in cosmetics, and it is practically nontoxic, although some people can be sensitive or allergic to it. In case you werent aware, there are two defined types of alcohols short chain and long chain. While the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel considers cetyl alcohol to be safe for use in cosmetics, many dermatologists believe that this ingredient can be irritating for those with sensitive skin. Is Cetyl Alcohol Bad for Hair? [9], [1] Braux, M.R., GMO 101, A Practical Guide, Alain Braux International Publishing, 2014 [2] Cosmeticsinfo.org [3] Cosmeticsinfo.org [4] Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Isostearyl Alcohol, Myristyl Alcohol, and Behenyl Alcohol, International Journal of Toxicology, May/June 1988 7: 359-413 [5] U.S. National Library of Medicine [6] Cosmeticsinfo.org [7] PubChem [8] Encyclopedia Britannica [9] Encyclopedia Britannica [10] Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Isostearyl Alcohol, Myristyl Alcohol, and Behenyl Alcohol, International Journal of Toxicology, May/June 1988 7: 359-413 [11] Food and Drug Administration [12] Whole Foods Market [13] Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Isostearyl Alcohol, Myristyl Alcohol, and Behenyl Alcohol, International Journal of Toxicology, May/June 1988 7: 359-413. Michelle and Jenny tapped dermatologist Claire Chang to share why hydration is the key to plump skin and the best ingredients to achieve it. CurlCentric.com is an independent, advertising-supported publisher. At Curl Centric, we aim to help our readers take control of their hair care journey and make good decisions about products, hairstyles, and maintenance techniques. If youre looking for products that dont contain drying alcohols, be sure to read labels carefully. Cetyl Alcohol - Humblebee & Me Dive into helpful resources on chemistry fundamentals and see how to spot bad science. For quality control, we may ask for information about your experience, about the product, and may request you send the product back for inspection. Long-chain alcohols are much better for your hair in the long run. It is a natural ingredient derived from coconut oil or palm kernel oil . Cetyl Alcohol: Skin Friendly Ingredient | Learn Canyon Cetyl Alcohol | C16H34O | CID 2682 - PubChem Scalp irritation that leads to itching and scalp abrasions. Cetyl alcohol is. I also added some BTMS-50 so this balm ends up being like a touch of solid hair conditioner. Eczema? Further, cetyl alcohol may also be used in industrial use as a lubricant for nuts and bolts, and in some liquid pool covers. As mentioned above, cetyl alcohol is an excellent emulsifier. You only need a little bit in one product to provide your hair the moisture it needs. [1] https://www.cosmeticsandtoiletries.com/research/chemistry/Cetyl-Alcohol-A-Multifunctional-Addition-to-Formulators-Toolboxes-500168321.html[2] https://www.cir-safety.org/ingredient/cetearyl-alcohol. As a team, they promote healthy hair care practices through their comprehensive platform, Curl Centric. I used calendula infused in sunflower oil because thats what I had on hand. Cetyl alcohol comes in the form of a white, waxy solid. The FDA, as well as the Cosmetic Ingredient Review, has confirmed that cetyl alcohol is not only safe to be used on the skin, but also as a food additive [2]. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel evaluated the scientific data on cetyl alcohol and concluded that this ingredient is non-sensitizing, non-toxic, and safe to use in cosmetic products. Cetearyl alcohol poses little to no risk to humans as long as someone uses products containing it as instructed on the label. Above all, its important to be mindful of the ingredients youre using in your hair care products. The Skin Deep scoring system was designed to help the public understand whether a product is safe to use or whether it contains ingredients of concern. Cetyl alcohol /sitl/, also known as hexadecan-1-ol and palmityl alcohol, is a C-16 fatty alcohol with the formula CH3(CH2)15OH. Keep an eye on: Nothing to keep an eye on here. Cetearyl alcohol is different from the alcohol in drinks, which is known as ethanol. It makes hair feel softer and more manageable. As my love affair with cetyl alcohol continues I thought Id share ten of the best formulas Ive shared using it over the past couple years. Hyaluronic Acid Buying Guide: 24 of the Best Moisturizers, Serums, and Masks in 2023, makeup, including foundations, lipstick, and mascara, create an emulsion, which is a blend of oils and water. Cetyl alcohol serves as an emollient, thickener, and stabilizer. That way, you can ensure that your hair is getting the care it deserves! Check out the formulations I have done (use the main menu to navigate to sections like shampoo and body wash) to see approaches that work , Hi can I use cetyl alcohol in a black soap shampoo as an emulsifier. DIY Natural Deodorant: Why We Chose Our Ingredients Have you ever tried it? Fatty alcohols are a hybrid between alcohols and fatty acids or oils. Learn more here. Cetyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol. 2023 Cond Nast. Please look up any ingredients you have questions about in the. You do not need to layer products with cetyl alcohol in them. A fatty alcohol is a waxy substance obtained from a natural source. Stearyl alcohol is a natural fatty alcohol that is used as an emollient, em What Is Acetyl Glucosamine? [12] A series of studies also show cetyl alcohol generally does not irritate or sensitize human skin. Chemically speaking, cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Lipstick and other cosmetics use cetyl alcohol as a thickener and emulsifier to help maintain a desirable consistency and smooth texture. Youll purchase it in white pellets; Ive had both larger ones (pictured) and teesny little spheres. Cetyl alcohol is mainly used to improve the texture of formulations, to make them more appealing to the senses. The National Rosacea Society states that in addition to cetearyl alcohol, cosmetics and personal care products may contain other fatty alcohols, such as: All of these are safe. Seems like whipped body butters and lotion bars or butter bars are similar just one more solid and not whipped. [6], Cetyl alcohol is used in the cosmetic industry as an opacifier in shampoos, or as an emollient, emulsifier or thickening agent in the manufacture of skin creams and lotions. I dont recommend using a true wax as an alternative for cetyl alcohol. Its wonderfully lightweight, giving thickening/hardening without tackiness or heft. Youll find these bad alcohols and more in hair products: SD alcohol, ethyl alcohol, and isopropyl. They strip away the natural oils of your hair, leaving it vulnerable to damage. If you click a link on this page and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Springer, Boston, MA. There is often a misconception that because it has alcohol in its name that cetyl alcohol is drying to the skin. "I also like that it is vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free, and fragrance-free," she adds. Though most people wont have any issues with this ingredient, those with sensitive skin should definitely be more cautious. What Is Cetearyl Alcohol? - Byrdie The alcohol can be derived from sources such as coconut oil or palm oil, which some people have adverse reactions to.