Ingredient Dictionary

STEARYL ALCOHOL

Octadecan-1-ol is a long-chain primary fatty alcohol consisting of a hydroxy function at C-1 of an unbranched saturated chain of 18 carbon atoms.

How much products actually contain

No product states its amount yet.

Of the products containing it, 596 list it before the 1% line and 224 after it (usually 1% or less).

Products using this ingredient

12 of 812 confirmed · likeliest to carry enough first · See all 812

Definition

Octadecan-1-ol is a long-chain primary fatty alcohol consisting of a hydroxy function at C-1 of an unbranched saturated chain of 18 carbon atoms. It has a role as a plant metabolite, a human metabolite and an algal metabolite. It is an octadecanol and a long-chain primary fatty alcohol.

Source: PubChem

US FDA substance register · UNII 2KR89I4H1Y · registered name STEARYL 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)FRAGRANCEReplaces oils washed awayREFATTINGMixes and holds oil and water togetherSURFACTANT - EMULSIFYINGKeeps an emulsion from separatingEMULSION STABILISINGBoosts latherSURFACTANT - FOAM BOOSTINGMakes a clear formula opaqueOPACIFYINGAdjusts thicknessVISCOSITY CONTROLLINGSurfactant that lifts dirtSURFACTANT - CLEANSINGMakes skin soft and smoothSKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT

Safety & regulatory references

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

Source: Korea toxic substances GHS register (NIER)

Reviewed by CIR: Annual Review of Cosmetic Ingredient Safety Assessments - 2004/2005

Source: US Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)

Reviewed by CIR: Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Stearyl Alcohol, Oleyl Alcohol, and Octyl Dodecanol

Source: US Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)

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

Official labels & definitions

JCIA labelling name ステアリルアルコール: 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

STEARYL ALCOHOLINCI스테아릴알코올Korean label name (MFDS standard)1-OctadecanolSynonymステアリルアルコールJapanese labelling name

CAS No.chemical registry number: 112-92-5
EC No.EU chemical inventory number: 204-017-6
DTXSIDUS EPA chemical ID: DTXSID8026935
DTXCIDUS EPA compound ID: DTXCID306935

IUPAC: Octadecan-1-ol
Molecular formula: C18H38O
Molecular weight: 270.501 g/mol

Measured properties

Appearance: Large Crystals, Liquid, Other Solid, Dry Powder · White solid, [Hawley]
Odour: Faint
Boiling point: 210.5 °C at 15 mm Hg · 336 °C
Melting point: 59.5 °C · Heat of fusion at melting point = 7.4057X10+7 J/kmol (for the gamma phase, no selection of the alpha phase, crystal I can be made).
Solubility: Soluble in alcohol, ether, benzene, acetone · Soluble in chloroform, slightly soluble in acetone, benzene
Density: 0.8124 at 59 °C/4 °C · Relative density (water = 1): 0.81 (liquid)
Melting/freezing point: 56~60 ℃
Initial boiling point and range: 211 ℃(15 mmHg)
Flash point: 172~177 ℃ ((PMCC))
Upper/lower flammability or explosive limits: -1 / 8 %
Vapour pressure: 0.0000027 ㎜Hg ((25 ℃))
Vapour density: 9.5 ()
n-Octanol/water partition coefficient (Kow): 7.72
Auto-ignition temperature: 450 ℃
Decomposition temperature: ((&amp, gt, 204 C))
Viscosity: 5.52 cP (80 C)
Molecular weight: 270.50

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 124 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.

Emulsifier33
Viscosity modifier13
Thickening agent13
Lubricating agent12
Surfactant (surface active agent)9
Softener and conditioner7
Opacifer5
Foamant5

17 other uses

Processing aids not otherwise specified4
Solvent3
Deodorizer2
Fuel2
Cleaning agent2
Binder2
Monomers2
Solubility enhancer1
Intermediate1
Stabilizing agent1
Fragrance1
Plasticizer1
Surface modifier1
Defoamer1
Antioxidant1
Pigment1
Flavouring and nutrient1

Source: US EPA CompTox dashboard

Irritation and sensitisation studies

3 skin studies and 2 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 5 studies

Not likely to be sensitizing
skin sensitisation: in vivo (non-LLNA) · Screening · according to OECD Guideline 406 (Skin Sensitisation)
Studies Indicate No Significant Irritation
skin irritation: in vivo · Screening · OECD Guideline 404 (Acute Dermal Irritation / Corrosion) according to
Category 6.3B (Category 3)
Skin Irritation · Read Across
Studies Indicate No Significant Irritation
eye irritation: in vivo · Screening · OECD Guideline 405 (Acute Eye Irritation / Corrosion) according to
Category 6.4A (Category 2A)
Eye Irritation · Read Across