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Stearyl Alcohol

Fatty alcohol

Well toleratedEmollientemollientemulsion stabiliserthickener

No meaningful concern for most people; irritation is possible but rare.

Also written as: Octadecan-1-ol

What it is

Stearyl alcohol is a solid, wax-like fatty alcohol usually made from vegetable oils. It thickens emulsions, keeps them from separating and gives creams and balm masks a rich, smooth texture; like other fatty alcohols it is chemically unrelated to drying alcohols such as ethanol.

What it does well

  • Thickens and stabilises rich cream textures

    It is a standard co-emulsifier and consistency factor, used together with a primary emulsifier to build a stable, creamy base.

    Strong evidence

Worth knowing

  • Occasional contact allergy

    A case series confirmed allergic contact dermatitis to stearyl alcohol in seven patients using topical medications, showing the reaction is real but infrequent.

    Matters most toPeople with long-standing eczema or leg ulcers treated with ointments.

Where the EU stands

No specific restriction

No EU restriction on use or concentration in cosmetics.

Sources (1)

Every link goes to the original: a journal, a PubMed record or an EU document.

  1. [1]
    Seven cases of contact dermatitis due to stearyl alcohol contained in topical medications

    The Journal of Dermatology · 2022 · doi:10.1111/1346-8138.16325

    Stearyl alcohol was confirmed by patch testing as the cause of allergic contact dermatitis in seven patients using topical medicines.

Masks that contain Stearyl Alcohol