Cetyl Alcohol and Skin Moisturizers

What benefits do cetyl alcohol and skin moisturizers have when combined?

What's in your cream?

If you've shopped for skincare, you've most likely been baffled by the seemingly never-ending list of ingredients in skincare products. Skincare formulas vary based on needs, and what works for one individual may cause outbreak or dryness on your own skin. One common ingredient found in skincare moisturizers is cetyl alcohol. Whether you find yourself wishing to avoid this ingredient, or are researching how it may particularly benefit you and your skincare needs, understanding alcohol will help you make an informed decision.

Cetyl alcohol was discovered in 1817 by a French chemist named Michael Chevreul. At that time, cetyl alcohol was one of the first known alcohols to be isolated from fat. Cetyl alcohol was derived from whale oil and named after the Latin term for whale oil, cetus.

Although whaling has since demised, cetyl alcohol and skin moisturizers are a common pairing. Today, cetyl is obtained from other sources of fats, such as petroleum, palm, coconut or vegetable oil.

Cetyl alcohol is a very common ingredient added to shampoos, cleanser, lotions and moisturizers. It has even been used for years as a lubricant for hardware, such as nuts and bolts.

Because of its unique binding and emollient action, cetyl alcohol is a great binder for moisturizing. Why? Water and oil do not mix, so moisturizers containing a fat such as cetyl alcohol lock moisture into the skin and form a protective barrier that water can't penetrate, preventing dry and parched skin. In addition to the unique barrier benefit of cetyl alcohol, it is often added as an ingredient to moisturizers to alter the consistency of liquid products or to increase foaming capacity.

Overall, cetyl alcohol is a very popular ingredient used in cosmetic and skincare products. In 2005, the FDA reassessed the safety of cetyl alcohol for topical use and reaffirmed that the fatty oil was indeed safe.

Contact dermatitis is a skin condition related to allergies of a chemical or substance that the skin has been exposed to. Although most people can wear skincare products combined with cetyl alcohol and have no ill side effects, some people may experience slight discomfort or a full blown allergic reaction. If you experience any of the following symptoms after applying a product containing cetyl alcohol, immediately discontinue use and seek medical attention:

• Redness
• Stinging or burning
• Rash or small hives
• Dizziness
• Impaired breathing
• Headache or nausea

Individuals with special needs or sensitive skin should seek medical counsel from a dermatologist to find a skincare regimen that is free of potential irritants.

To discover whether or not skincare products contain cetyl, always read their ingredient list. Some of the most popular skincare products containing cetyl are listed below:

• Cetaphil
• Jergens Extra Moisturizing Shea Butter Body Wash
• Johnson's Baby Lotion

Cetyl alcohol should never be ingested. If ingestion occurs, seek medical attention immediately.

In addition, consumers seeking animal fat substitutes should pay close attention to the addition of cetyl alcohol in face cream and skincare products, as some fats may be animal obtained. Always seek cetyl obtained from coconut or palm oil. The following skincare lines are organic and do not contain animal byproducts:

• Kiss My Face
• Beauty Without Cruelty
• Pure Organics

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