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Cetyl Alcohol
Cetyl Alcohol, also known as 1-Hexadecanol or Palmityl Alcohol, is a fatty alcohol derived primarily from natural sources such as palm oil and coconut oil. It appears as a waxy, white to pale yellow solid with a faint fatty odor. Cetyl Alcohol is widely used in cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and industrial formulations due to its emollient, emulsifying, thickening, and stabilizing properties. It helps improve texture, consistency, and moisturizing effects in personal care products. Cetyl Alcohol is compatible with many ingredients, making it a versatile multifunctional ingredient.
Cetyl Alcohol
Primary UsesÂ
Cosmetics & Personal Care
- Acts as an emollient and thickener in lotions, creams, conditioners, and hair care products.
- Used as an emulsifier and stabilizer in oil-in-water emulsions, improving product texture and consistency.
- Provides a smooth, non-greasy feel and helps to reduce the greasy texture of oils.
- Used in lipsticks and balms to enhance structure and application.
Pharmaceuticals
- Serves as a base and thickening agent in ointments, creams, and lotions.
- Used in topical formulations to improve texture, spreadability, and skin conditioning.
Secondary UsesÂ
Industrial Applications
- Utilized as a lubricant and anti-static agent in plastics and textile processing.
- Used in the manufacture of surfactants and detergents as an intermediate or ingredient.
Food Industry
- Sometimes used as a processing aid or emulsifier in food packaging or coatings (subject to regulations).
Chemical Synthesis
Serves as an intermediate in the production of esters and other derivatives used in cosmetics and industrial chemicals.
1. Basic Identification Attributes
- Chemical Name (IUPAC): Hexadecan-1-ol
- Common/Trade Name: Cetyl Alcohol
- CAS Number: 36653-82-4
- HS Code: 2905.43.00
- Molecular Formula: C16H34O
- Molecular Weight: 242.45 g/mol
- Synonyms:
- 1-Hexadecanol
- Palmityl Alcohol
- Cetyl Hydroxide
2. Physical & Chemical Properties
- Physical State: Solid waxy flakes, beads, or pastilles
- Color & Odor: White to pale yellow; faint fatty odor
- Melting Point: 48–54°C (118–129°F)
- Boiling Point: ~344°C at atmospheric pressure
- Density: ~0.81 g/cm³ at 20°C
- Solubility:
- Insoluble in water
- Soluble in oils, ethanol, chloroform, ether
- Flash Point: Approximately 190°C
- Stability: Stable under normal storage; resistant to oxidation
3. Safety & Hazard Attributes
- Hazard Class (GHS): Not classified as hazardous
- NFPA Ratings:
- Health: 0
- Flammability: 1
- Reactivity: 0
- Exposure Limits: No specific occupational exposure limit
- Toxicity: Low toxicity; generally recognized as safe in cosmetics
- Reactivity: Chemically stable; combustible at high temperatures
4. Storage & Handling Attributes
- Storage Conditions: Store in a cool, dry place away from heat and ignition sources
- Container Type: Sealed plastic or metal containers to avoid contamination
- Shelf Life: Up to 3 years when stored properly
- Special Handling: Avoid dust formation; use PPE when handling large quantities
5. Regulatory & Compliance Attributes
- FDA Status: Approved for use in cosmetics (21 CFR 182.10)
- REACH Status: Registered
- Transportation: Not classified as hazardous
- Waste Disposal: Follow local regulations; biodegradable
6. Environmental & Health Impact
- Ecotoxicity: Low environmental toxicity
- Persistence: Biodegradable under environmental conditions
- Bioaccumulation: Not expected to bioaccumulate
- Carcinogenicity/Mutagenicity: Not classified as carcinogenic or mutagenic
- Biodegradability: Readily biodegradable
Safety Handling Precautions
- PPE: Gloves and safety goggles recommended for bulk handling
- Handling: Avoid creating dust; use in well-ventilated areas
- Storage: Keep container tightly closed, away from heat sources
- Hygiene: Wash hands after handling; avoid ingestion and eye contact
First Aid Measures
- Inhalation: Move to fresh air if dust inhaled; seek medical attention if breathing difficulties occur
- Skin Contact: Wash skin with soap and water; seek medical help if irritation develops
- Eye Contact: Rinse eyes with water for 15 minutes; consult physician if irritation persists
- Ingestion: Low toxicity; rinse mouth and seek medical advice if large amounts ingested
Firefighting Measures
- Fire Hazards: Combustible material; burns with a smoky flame
- Extinguishing Media: Use foam, dry chemical, COâ‚‚, or water spray
- Special Precautions: Firefighters should wear protective gear and self-contained breathing apparatus
- Decomposition Products: Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and hydrocarbons
Related products
Avocado Wax
Avocado wax is a natural plant-derived wax extracted primarily from the pulp and seed of the avocado fruit (Persea americana). It appears as a hard, yellowish wax with excellent emollient, film-forming, and moisturizing properties. Valued for its biodegradability, compatibility with various formulations, and sustainability, avocado wax is widely used as a natural alternative to synthetic waxes in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, food, and industrial applications.
Ceto Stearyl Alcohol
Ceto Stearyl Alcohol 1618TA is a high-quality fatty alcohol blend primarily composed of cetyl (C16) and stearyl (C18) alcohols. It appears as a white, waxy solid or flakes with a mild fatty odor. This blend is widely used as an emollient, thickener, and co-emulsifier in cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and industrial formulations. Ceto Stearyl Alcohol 1618TA offers excellent lubricity, thickening, and stabilizing properties, enhancing the texture, consistency, and moisturizing characteristics of creams, lotions, and hair care products. It serves as a skin conditioning agent and contributes to the structural integrity of emulsions.
Cetomacrogol PEG1000 (Ginonic CSA 20)
Cetomacrogol PEG (Ginonic CSA) is a polyethylene glycol-based nonionic surfactant and emulsifier with an average molecular weight of approximately 1000 Da. It appears as a white to off-white waxy solid or flakes with a neutral odor. This high-quality grade is widely used in cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and personal care formulations due to its excellent emulsifying, solubilizing, and moisturizing properties. Cetomacrogol PEG1000 (Ginonic CSA 20) facilitates stable oil-in-water emulsions, improves product texture and skin feel, and enhances the bioavailability of active ingredients. Its hydrophilic nature and compatibility with a wide range of ingredients make it a versatile additive in creams, lotions, ointments, and topical gels.
Cetyl Palmitate
Cetyl Palmitate is a naturally derived ester formed by the reaction of cetyl alcohol and palmitic acid. It appears as a white to off-white waxy solid with a mild fatty odor. This compound is widely used in cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and industrial formulations for its emollient, thickening, and texture-enhancing properties. Cetyl Palmitate imparts a smooth, creamy feel to products and contributes to improved stability and consistency in creams, lotions, balms, and ointments. Its film-forming and skin-conditioning attributes make it a preferred ingredient in personal care products as well as in specialty industrial applications.
Cocoa Butter
Cocoa Butter, also known as Theobroma oil, is a pale-yellow, edible fat extracted from cocoa beans, primarily from Theobroma cacao. It has a smooth, creamy texture and a mild, characteristic chocolate aroma. Cocoa Butter is solid at room temperature but melts near body temperature, which gives it a luxurious feel when applied to skin or consumed. It is highly valued for its emollient, moisturizing, and protective properties. Cocoa Butter is widely used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, food, and confectionery industries. Its stable composition rich in fatty acids such as stearic, palmitic, and oleic acids imparts excellent oxidative stability and a long shelf life.
Coffee Butter
Coffee Butter is a natural, plant-derived fat extracted primarily from the coffee seed pulp or coffee cherry, sometimes from the coffee bean itself. It is a creamy, pale yellow to light brown solid at room temperature with a mild coffee aroma. Coffee Butter is rich in fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamins, making it a valuable ingredient in cosmetics, skincare, and specialty food products. Known for its emollient, moisturizing, and antioxidant properties, Coffee Butter helps to nourish and protect the skin while providing a pleasant sensory experience. It is gaining popularity as a sustainable by-product of coffee processing, contributing to zero-waste initiatives.
Illipe Butter
Illipe Butter is a natural, hard vegetable fat derived from the nuts of the Shorea stenoptera tree, native to the rainforests of Borneo. Known for its high melting point and rich moisturizing profile, Illipe Butter is prized in cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and food applications for its emollient qualities and stability. It closely resembles cocoa butter in composition and function, making it a sustainable alternative in formulations requiring consistency and long shelf life. The butter appears as a pale yellow to off-white solid with a mild, neutral aroma.
Isopropyl Myristate
Isopropyl Myristate is a clear, colorless, and oily liquid ester formed by the reaction of isopropyl alcohol and myristic acid. It has a mild, pleasant odor and excellent spreading properties. IPM is widely used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and industrial applications as an emollient, solvent, and penetration enhancer due to its ability to improve texture and absorption of topical formulations.
