Myristyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol derived from natural sources, typically from the oil of the nutmeg tree or other vegetable fats. It is a white, waxy solid at room temperature and is widely used in cosmetic formulations as an emollient, emulsifier, and thickening agent. Myristyl Alcohol is valued for its ability to enhance the texture of products, provide a smooth feel on the skin, and improve the stability of emulsions.

Chemical Composition and Structure

Myristyl Alcohol is characterized by:

• Chemical Formula: C₁₄H₃₀O
• Structure: A straight-chain saturated fatty alcohol with a 14-carbon backbone. It contains a hydroxyl (-OH) group, which contributes to its alcohol properties and functionality in cosmetic formulations.

The unique structure of Myristyl Alcohol allows it to function effectively as an emollient and emulsifying agent.

Physical Properties

• Appearance: Typically a white, waxy solid or flakes.

• Solubility: Insoluble in water; soluble in oils and organic solvents.

• Melting Point: Generally melts at around 54–58°C (129–136°F).

• Odor: Odorless or has a mild fatty scent.

• Stability: Stable under normal storage conditions; should be protected from excessive heat and moisture.

Production Process

1. Extraction: Myristyl Alcohol is obtained from the oil of the nutmeg tree or through the hydrogenation of fatty acids derived from vegetable oils.

2. Purification: The resulting product is purified to remove impurities and ensure a high-quality alcohol.

3. Formulation: Purified Myristyl Alcohol is incorporated into various cosmetic products to enhance their texture and performance.

Applications

• Cosmetics: Commonly found in creams, lotions, and hair care products for its emollient and thickening properties. It helps improve the spreadability and feel of products on the skin and hair.

• Pharmaceuticals: Used in topical formulations for its moisturizing and emulsifying effects.

• Industrial Uses: May be employed in formulations requiring a stable emulsifier and thickener.

Environmental and Safety Considerations

Generally regarded as safe for topical application, however, like all extracts, it should be used in accordance with established guidelines to avoid potential allergic reactions or skin irritations. 

People with allergies or very sensitive skin should be careful. 

Responsible sourcing and formulation practices are essential to ensure that the ingredient is free of harmful contaminants, produced and used in a safe and sustainable way.

Molecular Formula  C₁₄H₃₀O

Molecular Weight  214.39 g/mol

CAS     112-72-1

UNII    V42034O9PU

EC Number  204-000-3

DTXSID9026926    DTXSID0042456

Synonyms:

1-Tetradecanol

Tetradecanol

Tetradecan-1-ol

Bibliografia__________________________________________________________________________

Kampf, G., Wigger‐Alberti, W., Schoder, V., & Wilhelm, K. P. (2005). Emollients in a propanol‐based hand rub can significantly decrease irritant contact dermatitis. Contact dermatitis, 53(6), 344-349.

Abstract. The objective of this study is to determine the effect of emollients in a propanol-based hand rub on skin dryness and erythema. In this prospective, randomized, controlled, double-blind trial, 35 subjects participated; of them approximately half were atopic (modified Erlanger atopy score ≥8). 2 propanol-based formulations were tested in a repeated open application test, 1 contained a mixture of emollients (0.81%, w/w). 2 aliquots of 0.7 ml of each formulation were applied twice per day over 2 weeks to the cubital fossa of each subject after random assignment of the preparations. Treatment areas were assessed before each application and 3 days postfinal application by visual inspection for erythema and dryness according to a standard scale. The sum score over all assessment time-points served as primary parameter. The mean sum score for erythema and dryness was significantly lower for the hand rub with emollients (0.8 ± 2.4) in comparison with that for the hand rub without emollients (1.5 ± 3.5; P = 0.022; Wilcoxon signed rank test). A comparison of the atopic and non-atopic subjects revealed no significant difference for any of the products (P > 0.05; Mann–Whitney U-test). It is concluded that the addition of emollients to a propanol-based hand rub can significantly decrease irritant contact dermatitis under frequent-use conditions.

Santhosh Reddy, V., Venkatachalapathy, S., & Kalidoss, P. (2023). Studies on Myristyl Alcohol based microencapsulated phase change material for thermal energy storage applications. Energy Sources, Part A: Recovery, Utilization, and Environmental Effects, 45(1), 1424-1442.

Abstract. In this paper, a novel Myristyl Alcohol (MAL) phase change material (PCM) microencapsulated with calcium carbonate (CaCO3) shell through a self-assembly process is developed. Despite having strong thermal energy storage capabilities, pure MAL PCM has low thermal conductivity and phase change leakage issues, which limit its usefulness for thermal energy storage applications. To avoid leakage and improve thermal conductivity, pure MAL PCM is encapsulated with a CaCO3 shell for different core/shell mass ratios. The morphology, chemical structure, and crystalline structure of the microencapsulated phase change material (MAL-MEPCM) samples are analyzed by the SEM, FTIR, and XRD. The SEM morphology reveals that the generated microcapsules have spherical, needle-shaped, and floral forms. The DSC thermograms reveal the latent heat (melting) values of 223.36 and 155.40 J/g with an encapsulation efficiency of 69.42% for pure MAL PCM and MAL-MEPCM, the maximum core/shell mass ratio. The TGA thermograms confirm good thermal stability. Even after 200 thermal cycles, the samples have consistent chemical stability and phase change properties, as evidenced by FTIR and DSC results. The prepared MAL-MEPCM samples have higher thermal conductivity than the pure MAL PCM and thus enhance thermal energy storage performance.