Cetyl Alcohol

Cetyl Alcohol 95% C16 Cosmetic Grade – Natural Wax Pellets – Emulsifier, Thickener & Emollient – 250g / 500g

Product Overview

Cetyl Alcohol is a high-quality cosmetic-grade fatty alcohol containing a minimum of 95% C16 alcohols. Supplied as white to light-yellow waxy pellets, it is widely used as an emollient, thickener, opacifier and viscosity controller in creams, lotions, conditioners and shampoos. Available in convenient 250g and 500g packs.

Key Features

• Cosmetic Grade: Contains a minimum of 95% C16 fatty alcohols.
• Excellent Thickener: Helps increase viscosity and improve the consistency of cosmetic emulsions.
• Emollient Properties: Adds a smooth, soft and conditioned feel to skin and hair formulations.
• Emulsion Support: Commonly incorporated into oil-in-water cosmetic emulsions alongside a suitable emulsifying system.
• Easy-to-Use Pellets: White to light-yellow waxy solid supplied in convenient pellet/prill form.

Uses

1. Face & Body Creams – increases viscosity and gives emulsions a richer, smoother consistency.
2. Body Lotions – improves texture, body and skin feel while helping stabilise the finished formulation.
3. Hair Conditioners – provides conditioning, improves texture and helps create creamy formulations.
4. Shampoos & Hair Products – used as an emollient, thickener and opacifying ingredient.
5. Industrial Applications – fatty alcohols can also be used in selected lubricant and surface-film applications where appropriate for the formulation.

📋 Product Details

• Weight: 250g or 500g
• 500g Packaging: Supplied as 2 × 250g aluminium bags
• Grade: Cosmetic Grade
• Form: Waxy pellets / prills
• Appearance at 20°C: White to light-yellow waxy solid
• C16 Alcohol Content: Minimum 95%
• Chemical Formula: C16H34O
• CAS Number: 36553-82-4
• Density at 25°C: Approx. 0.81 g/ml
• Melting Point: Approx. 49°C
• Hydroxyl Value: 220–235 mg KOH/g
• Acid Value: Maximum 0.5 mg KOH/g
• Saponification Value: Maximum 1.0 mg KOH/g
• Iodine Value: Maximum 2.0 g I₂/100g
• Moisture (Karl Fischer): Maximum 0.15%
• Colour (APHA): Maximum 35
• C14 Alcohols: Maximum 2.5%

5 Popular Uses – How to Use Cetyl Alcohol

1. Moisturising Face or Body Cream

1. Weigh the cetyl alcohol according to your formulation.
2. Add it to the oil phase with the other oil-soluble ingredients.
3. Heat the oil phase until the cetyl alcohol has completely melted; its typical melting point is approximately 49°C.
4. Prepare the water phase separately according to your formulation.
5. Combine the phases using your chosen emulsifying system and mix thoroughly.
6. Continue mixing during cooling until the desired cream consistency develops.

Example: For a 1 kg experimental formulation using 3% cetyl alcohol, weigh 30g.

2. Body Lotion

1. Weigh the required amount of cetyl alcohol.
2. Add it to the heated oil phase.
3. Mix until fully melted and uniform.
4. Emulsify with the prepared water phase using an appropriate emulsifier.
5. Stir during cooling and evaluate the final viscosity before making further adjustments.

Example: A 1% concentration corresponds to 10g per 1kg of finished formulation.

3. Hair Conditioner

1. Add cetyl alcohol to the oil phase of your conditioner formulation.
2. Heat until completely melted.
3. Prepare the aqueous phase and the appropriate conditioning/emulsifying ingredients separately.
4. Combine according to your formulation procedure.
5. Mix thoroughly while cooling to develop a smooth, creamy texture.

Example: A formulation containing 2% cetyl alcohol requires 20g per 1kg of finished product.

4. Shampoo & Hair-Care Formulations

1. Determine compatibility with the surfactant system before production.
2. Weigh the required quantity of cetyl alcohol.
3. Incorporate it through an appropriate heated phase until fully dispersed or melted.
4. Combine with the remaining formulation as required.
5. Allow the product to cool before assessing final thickness, appearance and stability.

Example: For a 500g trial batch at 1%, use 5g of cetyl alcohol.

5. Cosmetic Balm & Thickened Emulsion Formulations

1. Weigh the waxes, oils and cetyl alcohol specified by your formulation.
2. Heat the compatible ingredients until uniformly melted.
3. Mix thoroughly.
4. Add other ingredients at the temperatures specified by your formulation.
5. Pour or transfer into suitable containers and allow the product to cool completely before evaluating texture.

Example: At 5%, a 500g formulation contains 25g of cetyl alcohol.

Safety & Handling

For formulation/raw-material use. Avoid contact with eyes and avoid breathing dust or fine particles generated during handling. Use suitable protective equipment and good manufacturing practices. Take care when handling hot, molten material. Keep the container securely closed and store in a cool, dry place away from incompatible materials. Finished cosmetic formulations should be appropriately stability, compatibility and safety tested before sale or use. Always follow the relevant Safety Data Sheet and applicable local regulations.

📈 Other Names

Cetyl Alcohol, Hexadecan-1-ol, Cetanol, Ethal, Ethol, Hexadecanol, Hexadecyl Alcohol, Palmityl Alcohol, C16 Fatty Alcohol, Cosmetic Cetyl Alcohol, Cosmetic Grade Cetyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol Pellets, Cetyl Alcohol Wax, Fatty Alcohol Thickener, Cosmetic Thickening Agent, Emollient for Creams and Lotions, Cetyl Alcohol for Hair Conditioner, Cetyl Alcohol for Shampoo, Cosmetic Emulsion Thickener, Lotion Thickener, Cream Making Ingredient, Skincare Formulation Ingredient, Hair Care Formulation Ingredient.

Keyword-Rich Alternative Titles:
Cetyl Alcohol Cosmetic Grade 95% C16 | Cetyl Alcohol Pellets for Creams & Lotions | C16 Fatty Alcohol Cosmetic Thickener | Cetyl Alcohol Emollient & Viscosity Modifier | Hexadecan-1-ol Cosmetic Raw Material | Cetyl Alcohol for Soap, Cream, Lotion & Hair Care Formulations

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

❓ 1. What is cetyl alcohol used for in cosmetics?

Cetyl alcohol is commonly used as an emollient, thickener, opacifier and consistency/viscosity modifier. It is particularly popular in creams, lotions, conditioners, shampoos and other personal-care emulsions.

❓ 2. Is cetyl alcohol the same as drinking alcohol or ethanol?

No. Cetyl alcohol is a long-chain fatty alcohol (C16) with a waxy solid appearance at room temperature. It has very different physical properties and cosmetic functions from ethanol.

❓ 3. Does cetyl alcohol need to be melted before use?

For many cosmetic formulations, cetyl alcohol is incorporated into a heated oil phase and melted before emulsification. This product has a typical melting point of approximately 49°C. Follow the requirements of your specific formulation.

❓ 4. How much cetyl alcohol should I use?

The correct percentage depends on the product, desired viscosity and complete formulation. For example, 1% equals 10g per 1kg, while 3% equals 30g per 1kg. Small test batches are recommended before scaling production.

❓ 5. What sizes are available?

Cetyl Alcohol is available in 250g and 500g quantities. The 500g option is supplied as 2 × 250g aluminium bags, helping keep unused material securely packaged until required.