Tuesday, April 30, 2024

What Is Cetearyl Alcohol? We Decode This Misunderstood Ingredient

cetearyl alcohol hair

Whether you're looking to improve hair texture, enhance manageability, or promote overall hair health, cetearyl alcohol can contribute to your hair regrowth journey. It has been extensively tested and approved for use in cosmetic formulations. Formulators are exploring ways to optimize its use, such as combining it with other effective ingredients or tailoring it to specific hair types and concerns.

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Understandably, this can feel like a personal stab to your skin care-loving heart. Cetearyl alcohol is a commonly misunderstood ingredient—and it's not as bad as you might think. Too much cetyl alcohol will build up on your hair and give it a matted look. Cetyl alcohol is oilier than other fatty alcohols and therefore moisturizes hair more. As a long carbon chain alcohol, cetyl alcohol is an excellent emollient.

Side Effects Of Cetostearyl Alcohol

It’s added to such hair care products due to its immense beneficial properties. Companies are allowed to label their hair products as “alcohol-free” if they contain fatty alcohols and not simple alcohols like ethanol. We’re all on the hunt for hair care products with effective ingredients that promote beautiful, healthy hair.

Short-Chain Fatty Alcohols vs. Long-Chain Fatty Alcohols

If you have, you might have stumbled upon the ingredient Cetearyl Alcohol. Today we’re going to explain it all with the help of Dr. Joe Cincotta. He’s the Chief Chemist at Color Wow, and has created hundreds (not one, not two, hundreds) of iconic award-winning hair care product formulas. He’s known for breaking boundaries and creating brand new technologies in the hair care market. Its emollient properties make it effective in providing long-lasting moisture and conditioning benefits. Our innovative system harnesses the power of cetearyl alcohol to stimulate hair regrowth and combat thinning hair, giving you fuller, thicker locks.

The chemical makeup of cetearyl alcohol is different from more commonly known alcohols. In cetearyl alcohol, the alcohol group (-OH) is attached to a very long chain of hydrocarbons (fats). This feature allows fatty alcohols to trap water and provides a soothing feel to the skin. Many hair products have alcohol-named ingredients that are non-drying--in fact they are just the opposite!

The Role of Cetyl Alcohol in Hair Products

"Alcohol simply refers to a chemical that has an -OH group on it," Fusco adds. Although an alcohol by definition, cetearyl alcohol is not the same as the traditional alcohols known for drying and sensitizing the skin. Here are some of the most commonly asked questions regarding cetyl alcohol for hair.

cetearyl alcohol hair

Cetearyl Alcohol is a white, waxy substance belonging to the family of fatty alcohols, which are derived from natural sources such as plant oils, animal fats, or synthesized from petrochemicals. It is a mixture of cetyl and stearyl alcohols, two fatty alcohols commonly used in cosmetic formulations. Unlike simple alcohols, like ethanol or isopropyl alcohol, which can be drying to the skin, fatty alcohols like Cetearyl Alcohol are non-irritating and offer moisturizing benefits. Cetearyl Alcohol serves various functions in cosmetic products, acting as an emulsifier, stabilizer, thickener, and emollient. Its versatility makes it a popular choice for formulators seeking to create effective and high-quality skincare and hair care products. Cetearyl Alcohol, a versatile ingredient commonly found in skincare and hair care products, has gained popularity for its unique properties and benefits.

Cetyl Alcohol has 16 carbons, while Stearyl and Isostearyl Alcohols have 18 carbons. Behenyl Alcohol is the largest fatty alcohol in this group with 22 carbons. Because the ingredient is present in so many different types of products, there's no set guideline for its use. And according to both dermatologists, cetearyl alcohol is not an ingredient with a limitation on it in terms of how often it can be used. "In chemistry, things are named by their chemical structure and the elements that make them up," Shah explains. Cetearyl alcohol works well with most emulsifiers as well as other hair care ingredients.

If you have this hair type, you’re more prone to buildup because there isn’t enough hair to 100% absorb it. But it’s important not to confuse cetearyl alcohol with other, drier varieties. Try a cetearyl-infused product like Drunk Elephant Silkamino Mega-Moisturizing Masker to restore your dull tresses. This mask is full of cetearyl alcohol, and it’ll help repair your damaged texture. If you have this reaction, consider avoiding products containing this ingredient.

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Delilah Orpi is the founder of The Holistic Enchilada, a blog about curly hair and conscious beauty. She followed the Curly Girl Method to bring back her curls and is passionate about using more ethical products. Delilah is a trained Curly Hair Consultant and has been featured in Curl magazine, GLAMOUR, and Yahoo. She writes to create awareness about the clean beauty movement and simple curly hair care. If you have curly, dry, or damaged hair, it’s a good idea to avoid short-chain drying alcohols like Ethanol and Alcohol denat.

It helps in proper distribution of the product on the hair or skin which in turn increases its effectiveness. This shift could potentially reduce the environmental impact of the cosmetic industry and make Cetearyl Alcohol an even more attractive ingredient for conscious consumers. The main issue with these alcohols is that they can easily dry out your hair and make it brittle. Drying alcohols can also cause other problems, such as scalp irritation, hair breakage, and decreased volume. Because Cetearyl Alcohol is an emulsifier, it stabilizes products so that the formulation doesn’t separate.

As with many skin care products, there’s a small risk of allergic reaction to cetearyl alcohol. They’re used in personal care products, mainly skin lotions, hair products, and creams. They help create smoother creams, thicker lotions, and more stable foam products.

In comparison, long chain alcohols are often far more beneficial than short chain alcohols, but should still be used in moderation. This is because they have far more carbon atoms, making them oilier and “fatty.” When used in moderation they can help soften your curls and reduce the chances of frizz. Fatty alcohols, like humectants, can also draw moisture from the atmosphere to your hair to maintain hydration. Although you may not have noticed, many of your favorite curly hair products likely contain some form of alcohol, the most common often being Cetearyl alcohol.

If you have sensitive skin or other allergies, it may be a good idea to perform a patch test with any product containing this ingredient. Tell your doctor if you experience burning, blistering, swelling, stinging, redness, or irritation that persists or gets worse. Chemicals that make the skin feel smooth are referred to as emollients. They work by forming an oily layer on the top of the skin to keep the moisture inside. As a health-conscious hairdresser, you have probably found yourself going through the ingredient list of products before using them on clients or yourself.

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