Oleyl alcohol (inci)

Oleyl alcohol, the oleyl alcohol, is a monohydric alcohol insoluble in water, soluble in ethanol and ether, from the group of unsaturated fatty alcohols. Oleyl alcohol has the linear formula C8H17CH=CH(CH2)7CH2OH. The fatty alcohol is insoluble in water but soluble in ethanol and ether. Oleyl alcohol occurs naturally in spermaceti. There it mostly occurs as a mixture with its isomer the elaidyl alcohol. The alcohol is obtained from oleic acid, whereby the double bond is retained.

In cosmetics, oleyl alcohol is used in cosmetic formulations. The fatty alcohol acts as an emollient (makes the skin smooth and supple), emulsifier (changes the interfacial tension of liquids such as water and oil so that they can be mixed together) and opacifier (clouds the transparency and translucency of cosmetic products).