Stearyl alcohol (inci)

Stearyl alcohol is a long chain monohydric saturated alcohol with the molecular formula: CH3-(CH2)16-CH2OH. It is soluble in ethanol and ether, insoluble in water.

Stearyl alcohol is included in the group of fatty alcohols. It belongs to the group of nonionic surfactants which stabilize water-in-oil emulsions.

In cosmetic formulations stearyl alcohol is often used in combination with cetylstearyl alcohol. The fatty alcohol acts as an emollient (makes the skin smooth and supple), emulsion stabilizer (supports the formation of emulsions and improves the resistance and durability of emulsions), opacifier (reduces the transparency and light transmission by clouding the product), viscosity regulator (increases or decreases the viscosity of cosmetic products), foaming agent (increases the foam formation and improves the volume, structure and durability of the foam) and as a refatting agent.

1. Ammon H et al (2014). Hunnius Pharmaceutical Dictionary. Walter de Gruyter GmbH Berlin/Boston S 1693