Cetearyl Alcohol (Alcohols C16-18) a chemical compound, a fatty acid composed of C16 Cetyl Alcohol and C18 Stearyl Alcohol.
The name describes the structure of the molecule:
- 'Cetearyl' is a term derived from the fatty alcohols cetyl and stearyl.
- 'alcohol' refers to the chemical group -OH, which is characteristic of all alcohols.
The synthesis of cetearyl alcohol typically involves the hydrogenation of a mixture of cetyl and stearyl fatty acids, derived from natural sources such as vegetable oils or animal fats. Here is a simplified version of the process:
- The fatty acids, typically derived from vegetable oils or animal fats, are heated and mixed with a catalyst.
- Hydrogen gas is then added to the mixture under pressure. This process is known as hydrogenation.
- During hydrogenation, the double bonds of the fatty acids react with hydrogen to form single bonds, converting the fatty acids into fatty alcohols.
- The resulting mixture of fatty alcohols is then purified to produce cetearyl alcohol.
It appears in the form of a white powder.
What it is used for and where
Cosmetics
It is a very versatile component that acts in many ways. It is used in cosmetic products to give creamy texture.It can be used as lubricant, emulsifier and thickener. It plays a role as a thickener in cosmetics and can reduce the amount of surfactant needed to form a stable system. It is suitable for all kinds of cosmetics particularly for creams and lotions.
- Emulsion stabilizer. Emulsions are thermodynamically unstable. Emulsion stabilisers improve the formation and stability of single and double emulsions. It should be noted that in the structure-function relationship, molar mass plays an important role.
- Opacifying agent. It is useful into formulations that may be translucent or transparent to make them opaque and less permeable to light.
- Skin conditioning agent - Emollient. Emollients have the characteristic of enhancing the skin barrier through a source of exogenous lipids that adhere to the skin, improving barrier properties by filling gaps in intercorneocyte clusters to improve hydration while protecting against inflammation. In practice, they have the ability to create a barrier that prevents transepidermal water loss. Emollients are described as degreasing or refreshing additives that improve the lipid content of the upper layers of the skin by preventing degreasing and drying of the skin. The problem with emollients is that many have a strong lipophilic character and are identified as occlusive ingredients; they are oily and fatty materials that remain on the skin surface and reduce transepidermal water loss. In cosmetics, emollients and moisturisers are often considered synonymous with humectants and occlusives.
- Surfactant - Cleansing agent. Cosmetic products used to cleanse the skin utilise the surface-active action that produces a lowering of the surface tension of the stratum corneum, facilitating the removal of dirt and impurities.
- Surfactant - Emulsifying agent. Emulsions are thermodynamically unstable and are used to soothe or soften the skin and emulsify, so they need a specific, stabilising ingredient. This ingredient forms a film, lowers the surface tension and makes two immiscible liquids miscible. A very important factor affecting the stability of the emulsion is the amount of the emulsifying agent. Emulsifiers have the property of reducing the oil/water or water/oil interfacial tension, improving the stability of the emulsion and also directly influencing the stability, sensory properties and surface tension of sunscreens by modulating the filmometric performance.
- Surfactant - Foam booster. It has the effect of introducing gas bubbles into the water and affects the cleaning process by helping to spread the cleanser. Since sebum has an inhibiting effect on the bubble, more foam is produced in the second shampoo.
- Viscosity control agent. It controls and adapts viscosity to the required level for optimal chemical and physical stability of the product and dosage in gels, suspensions, emulsions, solutions.
Skin Care Products: Cetearyl Alcohol is frequently found in creams, lotions, ointments, and other skin care products. It helps to form emulsions by reducing the surface tension of the substances to be emulsified, making products smoother for application.
Hair Care Products: Used in hair conditioners and hair dyes, Cetearyl Alcohol serves as an emollient and emulsifier. It helps improve the texture of hair by smoothing the cuticle, leading to softer and more manageable hair.
Makeup Products: This alcohol can be found in foundations, mascaras, and lipsticks. It provides a smooth application and lends a creamy texture to these products.
Sunscreens: Cetearyl Alcohol helps in the dispersion of the sunscreen actives and provides a pleasant skin feel.
Deodorants: This fatty alcohol can be found in deodorants, serving to thicken the product and ensure smooth application.
Soaps and Cleansers: In soaps and cleansers, Cetearyl Alcohol can enhance the foaming and bubbling properties of the products.
Pharmaceutical Ointments and Creams: Besides personal care products, Cetearyl Alcohol is also used in pharmaceutical products to create a base for creams and ointments.
Thickening Agent: In many formulations, Cetearyl Alcohol is used to adjust the viscosity and provide a thicker consistency to the product.
Opacifying Agent: It can be used to reduce the clear or transparent appearance of cosmetic products, making them more opaque.
Emollient: Being a fatty alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol can provide moisturizing properties to skin care formulations, thus making the skin feel soft and smooth.
Other uses
It can also be used as raw material for the production of alcohol, amide and sulphonated products.
The most relevant studies on this chemical compound have been selected with a summary of their contents:
Cetearyl Alcohol studies
- Molecular Formula: C34H72O2
- Molecular Weight: 512.948 g/mol
- UNII: 2DMT128M1S
- CAS: 67762-27-0 8005-44-5
- EC number: 267-008-6
Synonyms:
- Alcohols C16-18
- Cetyl/stearyl alcohol
- Cetostearyl alcohol [NF]
- Ceto/Stearyl Alcohol
- hexadecan-1-ol; octadecan-1-ol
- Cetostearyl alcohol, Cetylstearyl alcohol, Cetyl/stearyl alcohol
Cetearyl Alcohol 
Cetyl fatty acid
