IHL · Fatty alcohols
Cetyl Alcohol NF
- INCI name
- Cetyl Alcohol
- CAS number
- 36653-82-4
- EC number
- 253-149-0
- Physical form
- Flakes / pastilles
- Country of origin
- Malaysia / Indonesia
- HS code
- 2905.17
- Grade
- NF (National Formulary)
- Shelf life
- 36 months from date of manufacture
Structure without heaviness. Cetyl alcohol builds body in an emulsion and hardness in a bar, and it does both at low use levels.
| Appearance | White waxy flakes |
|---|---|
| Odour | Faint waxy |
| Solubility | Insoluble in water; soluble in oils, ethanol, ether |
| Melting point | 49–51 °C (120–124 °F) |
| pH | n/a (non-ionic solid) |
| HLB | 15.5 (assigned) |
| Storage | Cool, dry, sealed |
| Manufacturing process | Hydrogenation of C16 fatty acid from palm or coconut feedstock. |
Certifications
- Gluten-free
- Non-GMO
- Vegan
In full: Vegan · RSPO Mass Balance available · Gluten-free · Non-GMO · Kosher available
| Application | Use rate |
|---|---|
| Lotion | 1–3% |
| Cream | 2–6% |
| Conditioner / conditioner bar | 1–5% |
| Body butter | 3–8% |
| Shampoo | 0.5–2% |
Formulation notes
- Cetyl alcohol thickens; stearyl alcohol hardens. Cetearyl is the blend. Pick by the texture you want, not by price.
- Add to the oil phase and hold at 70–75 °C. It will not disperse into a cold emulsion.
- In conditioner bars, cetyl alcohol is what stops the bar from being greasy. Under-dosing it is the most common cause of a bar that smears.
Applications
- Lotions and creams
- Conditioner bars
- Hair conditioner
- Body butter
- Lip balm
- Deodorant sticks
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 in most commercial supply — RSPO Mass Balance documentation available. If you carry a palm-free claim, specify the coconut-derived grade.
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 Cetyl Alcohol NF documents.