Cetyl Stearyl Alcohol (CSA)
Cetyl Stearyl Alcohol (CSA), also known as Cetearyl Alcohol, is a blended fatty alcohol consisting primarily of cetyl (C16) and stearyl (C18) alcohols. It appears as white to pale yellow waxy flakes or pellets with a mild fatty odor. CSA is widely used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and personal care products as an emollient, thickener, and co-emulsifier. It enhances texture, improves stability, and provides a smooth, velvety skin feel in formulations. Being a non-ionic surfactant, it also aids in stabilizing oil-in-water emulsions and is favored for its gentle nature on the skin and hair.