Ingredient guide ›

Stearyl Alcohol

A creamy fatty alcohol.

What it does

Not a drying alcohol. It thickens creams, softens skin and helps oil and water mix.

Good to know

Skin allergy to it has been reported, mostly from medicated creams, but only in a few cases.

Often found in: Hand creams, Sunscreens, Body lotions, Hair conditioners

Around the world

• United States: No FDA limit. The FDA doesn't approve cosmetic ingredients before sale. Source
• EU and UK: No special limit in the EU or UK. Source
• Canada: Not on Health Canada's Hotlist of restricted ingredients. Source
• Australia: No limit in Australia's Poisons Standard. Source

Sources

• Contact dermatitis from fatty alcohols (Contact Dermatitis, 1996) (Medical)
• CIR: Final Report on Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol and related fatty alcohols (1988) (Industry-funded)