Coconut Alcohol
No meaningful concern for most people; irritation is possible but rare.
Also written as: Coco fatty alcohol
What it is
Coconut alcohol is the mixture of fatty alcohols obtained by reducing coconut oil fatty acids, mostly in the C12 to C18 range. It is chosen by brands that want a plant-derived alternative to individually named fatty alcohols, and it performs the same job: thickening, stabilising and softening.
What it does well
Softens and thickens with a naturally derived source
Functionally equivalent to cetearyl alcohol, with the composition varying slightly by supplier.
Strong evidence
Worth knowing
The word 'alcohol' causes needless worry
This is a waxy plant-derived material, not ethanol; it does not evaporate or degrease skin.
Matters most toNobody in particular; it is a labelling misunderstanding rather than a safety issue.
Where the EU stands
No specific restriction
No EU restriction on use or concentration in cosmetics.
