Fatty alcohols

Fatty alcohols are emollient alcohols that soften skin; they are not the same as drying alcohols.

Best forMoisturizing, emulsifying, texture
IncludesCetyl alcohol, Cetearyl alcohol, Stearyl alcohol
Use carefully ifRarely, can trigger breakouts in acne-prone skin

This group is usually doing a formula job such as preservation, texture, or delivery. Its presence alone does not make a product good or bad.

Not the same as denatured or fast-evaporating alcohols.

Compare with

Drying alcoholsVolatile solvents; strip the barrier

Names to look for on labels

cetyl alcoholcetearyl alcoholstearyl alcoholmyristyl alcoholbehenyl alcohollauryl alcohol

Related groups