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Cetyl alcohol makes hair products thick and creamy by improving consistency, viscosity, and adhesion. This improves their texture and gives them slip, enabling them to move between hair strands and evenly distribute the product. Always read labels carefully and opt for products with natural, hair-nourishing ingredients whenever possible. That way, you can ensure that your hair is getting the care it deserves!
Keeps your strands hydrated
Whether you’re looking to tame frizz, add shine, or simply keep your locks looking healthy and vibrant, cetyl alcohol can help. Though many may assume that cetyl alcohol can be grouped together with drying alcohols, the truth is that cetyl alcohol is the opposite of drying. The last important function of cetearyl alcohol is as a viscosity-increasing agent. As a viscosity-increasing agent, cetearyl alcohol works to thicken formulations in order to make a product less runny and easier to spread. The viscosity of a cream emulsion is closely tied to the length of its fatty alcohol’s carbon chain.
Product Type
Even though cetearyl alcohol is a safe ingredient, you should know some people are allergic to it. Cetyl alcohol helps prevent creams from separating into oil and liquid. A chemical that helps to keep liquid and oil together is known as an emulsifier. It may also make a product thicker or increase the product’s ability to foam.
Is cetearyl alcohol natural?
If you have fine or straight hair, you might find these products are too heavy for your locks, and you’re more likely to experience buildup. If you have sensitive skin or are prone to allergies, it’s best to do a skin patch test before using a product for the first time. This ingredient is very gentle on the skin and is suitable for most people who have sensitive skin. It’s also non comedogenic, which makes it less likely to cause blocked pores and scalp acne. People who do have an allergy to cetearyl alcohol may develop a rash known as allergic contact dermatitis, which is a type of eczema. So, it’s no surprise that you’ll find it in a wide array of personal care and beauty products.
Notably, its use is deemed safe, posing no irritation or discomfort to either the scalp or skin. This is why long chain alcohols yield emulsion products that are firm, thick, and viscous, boasting excellent lubrication and superior resilience to washing. Cetearyl alcohol performs several functions in hair care formulations. Contrastingly, cetearyl alcohol has a longer carbon chain, still attached to the hydroxyl group. The longer the carbon chain, the higher the melting point, turning the substance into a waxy solid. Alcohols in chemistry refer to organic molecules with a hydroxyl group attached to a carbon chain.
Cetearyl Alcohol Is in Many of Your Favorite Skincare Products—Derms Explain Why
This makes it a great thickener in cosmetics and other beauty products. According to the FDA, even cosmetic products labeled “alcohol-free” are allowed to contain cetearyl alcohol and other fatty alcohols. Cetearyl alcohol is also included on the FDA list of safe and permitted food additives.
Thanks to its emulsifying and emollient properties, the ingredient helps formulas stay consistent, thick, and creamy. Some alcohols may cause our delicate curly hair to be dried and frizzy, and we do well to avoid those in most cases. However, other alcohols, such as cetyl alcohol, can help to condition our hair and make it soft and manageable.
If you develop irritation or swelling after using a product with cetearyl alcohol, consider if it was caused by another ingredient. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)1, "alcohol-free" refers to the lack of ethyl alcohol—not alcohol in general. Cetearyl alcohol is not an ingredient that’s used for its actual effects on the skin but more so for the composition and function of the product as a whole, according to Shah.
Bad Alcohols In Hair Care Products
You’ve probably heard that alcohol is bad for hair because it has a drying effect. That’s partly true, but there are many types of alcohol, and not all alcohols are bad for your hair. Technical-grade cetearyl alcohol is a mixture of cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. Moroccanoil Curl Defining Cream and Moroccanoil Hydrating Styling Cream are two of my favorite products that are rich in this fatty alcohol!
In today's hair care landscape, cetearyl alcohol continues to play a significant role. Cetearyl alcohol serves as a thickener in hair products, providing the desired viscosity and volume without weighing the hair down. While cetearyl alcohol will stabilize emulsions it is not an emulsifier on its own, and will not work in formulas designed to work with a complete emulsifying wax. I have found it sold as “emulsifying wax O”, which is really quite misleading. Otherwise, the active ingredients will spread unevenly—which defeats the purpose of using product to begin with. Cetearyl alcohol prevents this by keeping the ingredients together, like a neat and tidy package.
Then you should know cetearyl alcohol’s proven to detangle and soften your hair. It does so by providing slip to each strand as a conditioning agent. Regardless of what it’s called on the bottle, it’s used in cosmetic products to help soften both hair and skin. In fact, alcohols are commonly found in products like astringents, hand sanitizers, and aftershave due to their fast-drying and skin-tightening abilities. Fatty alcohols are sometimes called long-chain alcohols because of their chemical formula.
8 skincare ingredients to avoid if you have eczema, according to dermatologists - National Eczema Association
8 skincare ingredients to avoid if you have eczema, according to dermatologists.
Posted: Mon, 05 Oct 2020 07:00:00 GMT [source]
These are alcohols that can dry and irritate the skin, particularly if someone has sensitive skin. Yes, cetearyl alcohol is a non-water soluble silicone, specifically a siloxane polymer. As a conditioning agent and moisturizer, it adds a protective barrier to hair. That’s why they’re your hair’s best defense against dryness, frizz, and breakage.
Cetearyl alcohol is also an emollient, which means it can make the skin look and feel softer, says Frey. It works by filling in cracks and uneven surfaces—the culprits behind dry skin. Even then, cetearyl alcohol isn't used in skin care products for this reason. It's kind of like an extra perk that proves just how diverse alcohols can be.
This makes it easier to apply the product evenly which also helps it work more effectively. More research is necessary to determine if using cetearyl alcohol in products could have an adverse effect on the environment. They help prevent water loss from the outer layer of the skin and give products a creamier consistency.
It’s a waxy white powder at room temperature and may also be in the form of white flakes. It’s added to both leave-in and rinse-out hair conditioning products. Co-founder of Curl Centric® and Natural Hair Box, Kenneth has dedicated himself to promoting ethical and scientifically-backed hair care practices. Rigorous editorial guidelines, industry recognitions, and features in numerous media outlets evidence his expertise.
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