IHL · Fatty alcohols
Cetearyl Alcohol NF
- INCI name
- Cetearyl Alcohol
- CAS number
- 67762-27-0
- EC number
- 267-008-6
- Physical form
- Flakes / pastilles
- Country of origin
- Malaysia / Indonesia
- HS code
- 2905.17.0000
- Grade
- NF (National Formulary)
- Shelf life
- 36 months from date of manufacture
INCI note
Compendial name: Cetostearyl Alcohol NF.
The default fatty alcohol for emulsions and bars. Harder than cetyl, more forgiving than stearyl, and cheaper than either at scale.
| Appearance | White to off-white waxy flakes |
|---|---|
| Odour | Faint characteristic |
| Solubility | Insoluble in water; soluble in oils and ethanol |
| Melting point | 49–56 °C (120–133 °F) |
| pH | n/a |
| HLB | ~15.5 (varies with C16:C18 ratio) |
| Storage | Cool, dry, sealed |
| Manufacturing process | Hydrogenation of C16/C18 fatty acids from palm or coconut feedstock. |
Certifications
- Gluten-free
- Non-GMO
- Vegan
In full: Vegan · RSPO Mass Balance available · Gluten-free · Non-GMO
| Application | Use rate |
|---|---|
| Lotion | 1–4% |
| Cream | 2–7% |
| Conditioner / conditioner bar | 2–6% |
| Body butter | 3–8% |
Formulation notes
- The C16:C18 ratio matters more than most spec sheets admit. 30:70 gives a firmer, waxier body; 70:30 gives a lighter slip. We stock both.
- Cetearyl alcohol is not self-emulsifying. Cetearyl Alcohol (and) Ceteareth-20 is — do not substitute one for the other.
- Hold the oil phase at 70–75 °C. Below 60 °C it will seed and give you a grainy emulsion.
Applications
- Lotions and creams
- Conditioner bars
- Hair conditioner
- Body butter
- Solid lotion bars
Not classified as hazardous
Not classified as hazardous under 29 CFR 1910.1200 (HazCom 2012, as amended 2024). Determination to be confirmed against the incoming lot's manufacturer SDS before publication.
- Transport classification
- Not regulated for transport — DOT, IATA, IMDG.
- Allergen statement
- No FDA major food allergen. Palm-derived typical — RSPO documentation available.
California Proposition 65
No listed constituent identified.
- SDS Safety Data Sheet On request
- TDS Technical Data Sheet On request
- COA Certificate of Analysis On request
- Allergen Allergen statement On request
- GMO GMO statement On request
- BSE/TSE BSE/TSE statement On request
- Vegan Vegan statement On request
- RSPO RSPO certificate On request
We send documents on request. No account, no vendor-qualification fee. Ask for Cetearyl Alcohol NF documents.