Ingredient Dictionary

CETYL ALCOHOL

Hexadecan-1-ol is a long-chain primary fatty alcohol that is hexadecane substituted by a hydroxy group at position 1.

How much products actually contain

No product states its amount yet.

Of the products containing it, 1,030 list it before the 1% line and 274 after it (usually 1% or less).

Products using this ingredient

12 of 1,285 confirmed · likeliest to carry enough first · See all 1,285

Definition

Hexadecan-1-ol is a long-chain primary fatty alcohol that is hexadecane substituted by a hydroxy group at position 1. It has a role as a flavouring agent, a plant metabolite, a human metabolite and an algal metabolite. It is a hexadecanol and a long-chain primary fatty alcohol.

Source: PubChem

US FDA substance register · UNII 936JST6JCN · registered name CETYL ALCOHOL · single chemical substance

Source: US FDA Unique Ingredient Identifier (UNII)

Cosmetic roles

Listed as a fragrance-composition material (not a claim that it adds scent)FRAGRANCEMakes skin soft and smoothSKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENTBoosts latherSURFACTANT - FOAM BOOSTINGMixes and holds oil and water togetherSURFACTANT - EMULSIFYINGKeeps an emulsion from separatingEMULSION STABILISINGMakes a clear formula opaqueOPACIFYINGSurfactant that lifts dirtSURFACTANT - CLEANSINGAdjusts thicknessVISCOSITY CONTROLLING

Safety & regulatory references

Not classified under Korea’s toxic-substance GHS list · existing chemical substance

Source: Korea toxic substances GHS register (NIER)

Other restriction: ban substances that deplete the ozone layer

Source: EU CosIng ingredient list

Reviewed by CIR: Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Isostearyl Alcohol, Myristyl Alcohol, and Behenyl Alcohol

Source: US Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)

Reviewed by CIR: Annual Review of Cosmetic Ingredient Safety Assessments: 2005/2006

Source: US Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)

More data — names, identifiers, properties, test records, literature

Official labels & definitions

JCIA labelling name セタノール: 本品は、次の化学式で表される脂肪族アルコールである。

Source: JCIA labelling names (Japan)

Names & identifiers

CETYL ALCOHOLINCI세틸알코올Korean label name (MFDS standard)1-HexadecanolSynonymセタノールJapanese labelling name

CAS No.chemical registry number: 36653-82-4
EC No.EU chemical inventory number: 253-149-0
DTXSIDUS EPA chemical ID: DTXSID4027991
DTXCIDUS EPA compound ID: DTXCID607991

IUPAC: Hexadecan-1-ol
Molecular formula: C16H34O
Molecular weight: 242.447 g/mol

Measured properties

Appearance: Liquid, Wet Solid, Other Solid, Dry Powder · White solid, [Hawley]
Odour: Faint odor · ODORLESS
Boiling point: 344 · 334 °C at 760 mm Hg
Melting point: 49.3 · 49.3 °C
Solubility: Insoluble · Slightly soluble in alcohol, soluble in acetone, very soluble in ether, benzene, chloroform
Density: 0.8187 at 50 °C/4 °C · 0.8152 (55 °C)
Viscosity: 53 mPa-s (=cP) at 75 °C · 4.55 cP (80℃)
Dissociation constant: pKa = 16.20
Colour: white
Melting/freezing point: 49 ℃
Initial boiling point and range: 344 ℃(1013 hPa 20℃)
Flash point: 175 ℃(ca.)
Upper/lower flammability or explosive limits: 8 / 1 %
Vapour pressure: ( 0.0022hPa 20℃)
Water solubility: 0.012 ㎎/ℓ (25℃)
Vapour density: 8.360
Relative density: 0.8176 (50℃)
n-Octanol/water partition coefficient (Kow): 6.65
Auto-ignition temperature: 251 ℃
Molecular weight: 242.45

Values measured on the substance itself. The KOSHA data are a reference for writing and reviewing safety data sheets, not a specification for a commercial raw material.

Source: PubChem · KOSHA safety data sheets (Korea)

What products actually use it for

What the 176 products reported to the US EPA with this ingredient use it for. Products outside cosmetics are included, so the top few rows are its main uses.

Viscosity modifier64
Emulsifier33
Thickening agent21
Plasticizer12
Softener and conditioner8
Opacifer6
Solvent4
Lubricating agent4

13 other uses

Surfactant (surface active agent)4
Fragrance3
Flavouring and nutrient3
Stabilizing agent2
Processing aids not otherwise specified2
Foamant2
Deodorizer2
Antioxidant1
Intermediate1
Vapor pressure modifiers1
Solubility enhancer1
No specific technical function1
Monomers1

Source: US EPA CompTox dashboard

Irritation and sensitisation studies

3 skin studies and 1 eye studies are on record.

Classed as low2

The study conclusions largely agree (100%). These tests are on the raw material itself; irritation at the amount in a finished product is a different question.

See all 4 studies

Studies Indicate No Significant Irritation
skin irritation: in vivo · Screening · OECD Guideline 404 (Acute Dermal Irritation / Corrosion) according to
Not likely to be sensitizing
skin sensitisation: in vivo (non-LLNA) · Screening · according to OECD Guideline 406 (Skin Sensitisation)
Category 6.3B (Category 3)
Skin Irritation · Read Across
Category 6.4A (Category 2A)
Eye Irritation · Read Across