CETEARYL ALCOHOL
Emulsion Stabilizer; Opacifying Agent; Surfactant - Foam Booster; Viscosity IncreasingAgent - Aqueous; Viscosity Increasing Agent - Nonaqueous; EMOLLIENT; EMULSIFYING; EMULSION STABILISING; FOAM BOOSTING; VISCOSITY CONTROLLING
Also listed as
ALCOHOLS, C16-18; CETOSTEARYL ALCOHOL; CETYL/STEARYL ALCOHOL; 1-OCTADECANOL, MIXT. WITH 1-HEXADECANOL; UNIOX A; C16-18 ALCOHOLS; MIXT. WITH 1-HEXADECANOL 1-OCTADECANOL; ALCOHOLS, C1618; (C16-C18) ALKYL ALCOHOL; (C16-C18) -ALKYL ALCOHOL
Given the incomplete information made available by companies and the government, EWG provides additional information on personal care product ingredients from the published scientific literature. The chart below indicates that research studies have found that exposure to this ingredient -- not the products containing it -- caused the indicated health effect(s) in the studies reviewed by Skin Deep researchers. Actual health risks, if any, will vary based on the level of exposure to the ingredient and individual susceptibility -- information not available in Skin Deep.
| This ingredient: | |
 | Cancer |
| Developmental/reproductive toxicity |
| Violations, restrictions & warnings |
| Allergies/immunotoxicity |
| Contamination concerns |
 | Lesser or emerging concerns for this ingredient: Ecotoxicology, Data gaps |
|
See products containing CETEARYL ALCOHOL | |
About CETEARYL ALCOHOL: Cetearyl Alcohol is a mixture of fatty alcohols consisting predominantly of cetyl and stearylalcohols.
CETEARYL ALCOHOL has reported used in the following product types: hair color and bleaching (521); facial moisturizer/treatment (430); conditioner (405); moisturizer (374); anti-aging (224); sunscreen: moisturizer (138); facial cleanser (117); hand cream (104); styling gel/lotion (67); sunscreen: SPF 15-30 (67)
Ecotoxicology
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Suspected to be an environmental toxin | Environmental Canada Domestic Substance List |
Data gaps
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Risk assessment method deficiencies and data gaps - Maximum reported "as used" concentration is basis of safety assessment by industry safety panel (Cosmetic Ingredient Review, CIR) - implicit safe concentration limit in product | Cosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments | |
| 21 studies in PubMed science library may include information on the toxicity of this chemical see search results -> | PubMed |
Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Classified as not expected to be potentially toxic or harmful | Environmental Canada Domestic Substance List |
Persistence and bioaccumulation
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Not suspected to be persistent | Environmental Canada Domestic Substance List | |
| show more | ||
Government, industry, academic studies and classifications
| government/industry list/academic study | appears on list as | classification(s) |
| Cosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments | CETEARYL ALCOHOL | •Safe as used in cosmetics according to industry panel (Cosmetic Ingredient Review, CIR) •Maximum reported "as used" concentration is basis of safety assessment by industry safety panel (Cosmetic Ingredient Review, CIR) - implicit safe concentration limit in product |
| Environmental Canada Domestic Substance List | ALCOHOLS, C16-18 | •This chemical was NOT flagged by CEPA for further attention. The chemical was flagged for suspected aquatic toxicity. |
references
| government/industry list/academic study | reference |
| Cosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments | CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review). 2006. CIR Compendium, containing abstracts, discussions, and conclusions of CIR cosmetic ingredient safety assessments. Washington DC. |
| Environmental Canada Domestic Substance List | EC (Environment Canada). 2008. Domestic Substances List Categorization. Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) Environmental Registry. |
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