How we scored it
Where it comes from
Cetearyl alcohol is typically derived from coconut/palm or tallow fatty acids, reacted with a short chain of fossil-derived ethylene oxide. The result sits right at the natural/petroleum midpoint depending on the exact cetyl:stearyl ratio used.
In plain English
An emulsifier and cleansing ingredient that helps blend oil and water. Made by reacting a blend of fatty alcohols (cetyl and stearyl, usually plant or animal derived) with a short petrochemical ethylene-oxide chain.
CosIng definition: C16-18 alcohols, ethoxylated (6 mol EO average molar ratio)
Natural alternatives with the same function
A waxy fatty acid from peanut and other vegetable oils, used to thicken formulas and give creams and…
Arachidyl Glucoside 100% natural originA gentle, sugar-based emulsifier used in creams and lotions to stabilize formulas without harsh surfactants. It's made from…
Behenic Acid 100% natural originA long-chain fatty acid from vegetable oil, used to thicken and stabilise creams and conditioners. It is extracted…
C10-16 Alkyl Glucoside 100% natural originA mild, sugar-based cleansing and emulsifying surfactant made by combining plant-derived fatty alcohols (coconut/palm) with glucose from starch.…
C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside 100% natural originA mild, sugar-based cleansing ingredient made from coconut or palm fatty alcohols and glucose; helps cleanse skin and…
C18-36 Acid 100% natural originA blend of long-chain plant fatty acids used as a mild cleanser and thickener, giving body and a…
References
- 1ISO 16128-1:2016 and ISO 16128-2:2017 — Guidelines on technical definitions and criteria for natural and organic cosmetic ingredients and products. ISO, Geneva.
- 2CETEARETH-6. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
- 3CETEARETH-6. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=CETEARETH-6