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Fatty Alcohol Comparison Chart
Feature / Property | Cetearyl Alcohol | Cetyl Alcohol | Stearyl Alcohol |
INCI Name | Cetearyl Alcohol | Cetyl Alcohol | Stearyl Alcohol |
Chemical Composition | Blend of Cetyl (C16) + Stearyl (C18) alcohols (typ. 30:70) | Single fatty alcohol, 16 carbons (C16) | Single fatty alcohol, 18 carbons (C18) |
Appearance | White, waxy flakes/pellets | White, waxy flakes/pellets | White, harder wax flakes/pellets |
Melting Point | ~48–56 °C (118–133 °F) | ~49–55 °C (120–131 °F) | ~58–60 °C (136–140 °F) |
Skin Feel | Balanced — creamy yet structured | Light, silky, smooth | Firm, waxy, more occlusive |
Viscosity / Thickening | Moderate to high | Moderate | High |
Primary Functions | Thickener, stabilizer, emollient | Emollient, slip agent, co‑emulsifier | Hardener, stabilizer, thickener |
Best For | Lotions, creams, conditioners, butters | Light creams, lotions, hair conditioners | Solid bars, sticks, thick creams, butters |
Slip & Spreadability | Medium | High | Low (more drag) |
Usage Rate (common) | 1–6% in emulsions | 0.5–6% in emulsions | 1–5% in emulsions |
pH Stability | Stable 3–10 | Stable 3–10 | Stable 3–10 |
Vegan & Palm-Free Options | Available (verify source) | Available (verify source) | Available (verify source) |
How to Choose:
Use Cetearyl Alcohol when you want both structure and a creamy feel — great all‑rounder for lotions, conditioners, and scrubs.
Use Cetyl Alcohol when you want lightweight slip and softness without heavy waxiness.
Use Stearyl Alcohol when you need firmness and occlusion, like in sticks, bars, or heavy butters.
Fatty Alcohol Substitution Rules
Replacing Cetearyl Alcohol
If replacing with Cetyl Alcohol:
Effect: Product will feel lighter and silkier but may lose some structure/viscosity.
Adjustment:
Increase cetyl alcohol amount by ~10–20% to help maintain body.
Optionally add 0.5–1% stearic acid or stearyl alcohol for extra firmness.
If replacing with Stearyl Alcohol:
Effect: Product will become thicker, heavier, and more occlusive with more drag.
Adjustment:
Decrease stearyl alcohol usage by ~10–20% to avoid over-thickening.
Add a small amount of a light ester (e.g., isopropyl myristate, caprylic/capric triglyceride) to restore slip.
Replacing Cetyl Alcohol
If replacing with Cetearyl Alcohol:
Effect: Slightly more structure, less slip; creamier feel.
Adjustment:
Match percentage 1:1 or reduce slightly if too thick.
If replacing with Stearyl Alcohol:
Effect: Product will become firmer, heavier, and more waxy.
Adjustment:
Reduce stearyl alcohol usage by ~20%.
Add 0.5–1% cetyl alcohol or light ester for improved glide.
Replacing Stearyl Alcohol
If replacing with Cetearyl Alcohol:
Effect: Softer, creamier texture with more slip.
Adjustment:
Increase cetearyl alcohol by ~10–15% to maintain similar firmness.
If replacing with Cetyl Alcohol:
Effect: Much softer, lighter, and silkier; significant loss of structure.
Adjustment:
Increase cetyl alcohol usage by ~20–25%.
Combine with 1–2% stearic acid or cetearyl alcohol to restore body.
General Tips for Substitution
Viscosity Balance: Stearyl > Cetearyl > Cetyl in thickening power.
Sensory Balance: Cetyl > Cetearyl > Stearyl in slip and lightness.
pH Stability: All are stable in the 3–10 range, so no adjustment needed for pH.
Oil Phase Ratio: Adjust total oil phase to keep emulsion stable—too much fatty alcohol can cause a waxy or draggy feel.
Testing: Always do small 100 g pilot batches before scaling up.