Is Cetearyl Alcohol safe in cosmetics?
Cetearyl Alcohol has a safety rating of "EXCELLENT" in our database. EU status: permitted. US status: permitted.
Cetearyl Alcohol
Also known as: EINECS 267-008-6, UNII-2DMT128M1S
INCI: CETEARYL ALCOHOL
Cetearyl Alcohol (CAS 67762-27-0) is a cosmetic emollient functioning as Long-chain fatty alcohol (C16–C18 blend) functioning as emollient,. EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: permitted. Industrial safety data is also available in the chemical safety database. Same-CAS public records also appear in industrial chemical safety data.
View industrial chemical safety profile for CAS 67762-27-0 →
Auto-generated CPSR Part A draft with source citations
Function
Long-chain fatty alcohol (C16–C18 blend) functioning as emollient, co-emulsifier, and viscosity builder. Stabilizes O/W emulsions and improves skin feel.
Safety Rating
EXCELLENT
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
permitted
US US Status
permitted
US Notes
CIR Expert Panel: safe at current use concentrations. Despite the word alcohol in the name, cetearyl alcohol is a long-chain fatty alcohol, not a drying solvent. Comedogenicity rating approximately 2 in REA; dilution-dependent caveat applies.
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Cetearyl Alcohol.
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
Sensitization Profile
Contact sensitization data for Cetearyl Alcohol based on clinical patch test studies and IFRA standards.
Sensitization Rate
low
Allergen Class
botanical
EU Allergen Listed
no
Patch Test Positive Rate
0.5%
Cross-reactivity Group
cetyl-group
Reaction Type
contact-dermatitis
Source: IVDK; ESSCA; NACDG
Dermal Penetration Profile
Skin absorption and penetration characteristics of Cetearyl Alcohol, relevant to systemic exposure and MoS calculations.
Absorption %
0.1-0.5%
Penetration Level
surface
Penetration Depth
surface only
Molecular Weight
270.5 Da
Log P
8.0
Systemic Absorption
no
Topical Bioavailability
0.05%
Safety Margin Factor
minimal
Source: CIR
EPA ToxValDB — Toxicity Values
4 toxicity values from EPA ToxValDB (aggregated from CCTE, HPV, ToxRefDB, IRIS, and other regulatory dossiers).
| Endpoint | Value | Species | Route | Duration | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LD50 | >8000 mg/kg | Rabbit | dermal | acute | ECHA IUCLID |
| LD50 | >8000 mg/kg | Rabbit | dermal | acute | ECHA IUCLID |
| LD50 | >8000 mg/kg | Rabbit | dermal | acute | ECHA IUCLID |
| LD50 | >8000 mg/kg | Rabbit | dermal | acute | ECHA IUCLID |
ECHA REACH Registration
European Chemicals Agency REACH dossier and Substances of Very High Concern listing.
Registration Type
Full
Tonnage Band
10,000 - 100,000 tonnes
Substance Type
SUBSTANCE
SVHC Candidate
No
Typical Use Concentrations
Reported concentration ranges per product category from SCCS/CIR/industry sources.
| Product Category | Typical Range | Max Reported | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Face Cream | 2–5 | 15 | CIR/VCRP |
| Body Lotion | 2–6 | 15 | CIR/VCRP |
| Conditioner | 3–6 | 15 | CIR/VCRP |
Additional Ingredient Properties
10 property records from structured ingredient metadata.
allergen_detail
{"eu_allergen_listed": "no", "allergen_class": "botanical", "cross_reactivity_group": "cetyl-group", "patch_test_frequency_pct": "0.5", "sensitization_rate": "low", "common_reaction_type": "contact-dermatitis", "ifra_restricted": "no", "source": "IVDK; ESSCA; NACDG"}
comedogenicity_detail
{"comedogenicity_rating": "2", "irritancy_rating": "0", "skin_type_suitability": "all,dry,combination,normal,mature", "acne_safe": "caution", "source": "Dermatology consensus"}
concentration
{"min_concentration_pct": "1.0", "max_concentration_pct": "10.0", "typical_concentration_pct": "5.0", "product_type": "Hair Conditioner", "function_at_concentration": "Conditioning, thickening", "source": "CIR Safety Assessment"}
deodorant
{"cas_number": "67762-27-0", "ingredient_class": "other", "mechanism_of_action": "other", "antiperspirant_efficacy_sweat_reduction_pct": "0", "deodorant_efficacy_hours": "0", "odor_reduction_pct": "0", "bacteriostatic": "no", "bactericidal": "no", "microbiome_impact": "neutral", "axillary_microbiome_effect": "varies by ingredient", "MIC_value_if_antimicrobial": "varies", "astringency_level": "vari…
dermal_absorption
{"molecular_weight_da": "270.5", "log_p_value": "8.0", "skin_penetration_level": "surface", "penetration_depth": "surface only", "absorption_pct": "0.1-0.5", "systemic_absorption": "no", "penetration_enhancer": "no", "occlusion_effect": "yes", "vehicle_dependent": "no", "skin_barrier_effect": "neutral", "bioavailability_topical_pct": "0.05", "safety_margin_factor": "minimal", "source": "CIR"}
emulsion_hlb
{"hlb_value": "15.5", "hlb_required_as_emulsifier": "no", "emulsifier_type": "o_w", "emulsion_stabilization_mechanism": "co_emulsifier_thickener", "co_emulsifier_pairs": "polysorbate_60,ceteareth_20", "optimal_oil_phase_pct": "15-40", "optimal_water_phase_pct": "60-85", "electrolyte_tolerance": "moderate", "pH_emulsion_stability_range": "4.0-9.5", "viscosity_building_contribution": "very_high", "z…
hair_care
{"hair_function": "conditioning", "hair_type_suitability": "all", "curl_pattern_suitability": "all", "porosity_suitability": "all", "protein_sensitivity": "neutral", "moisture_protein_balance": "yes", "cg_method_approved": "not-a-silicone", "silicone_type": "not-a-sulfate", "sulfate_type": "no", "drying_alcohol": "yes", "fatty_alcohol": "no", "heat_protectant": "yes", "color_safe": "neutral", "ker…
hair_conditioning
{"cas_number": "67762-27-0", "ingredient_class": "fatty_alcohol", "chemical_type": "fatty_alcohol", "substantivity_to_hair": "good", "deposition_from_shampoo": "no", "deposition_from_conditioner": "yes", "conditioning_mechanism": "emollient_thickening", "hair_penetration": "surface_only", "molecular_weight_effect_on_penetration": "C16_C18_blend", "wet_combing_force_reduction_pct": "25-35", "dry_co…
Function Categories & List Membership
Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
Emulsifier
Foamant
Lubricating agent
Opacifer
Softener and conditioner
Solvent
Stabilizing agent
Surfactant (surface active agent)
Thickening agent
Viscosity modifier
Regulatory List Membership (3)
EU Regulated in Personal Care
EU Restricted for Children (Cosmetics)
FDA Indirect Food Contact Additives
Expert Verdict
Expert safety assessment and concern-level summary for Cetearyl Alcohol.
Regulatory Flags
eu_children_restricted
Known Synonyms
EINECS 267-008-6
UNII-2DMT128M1S
Chemical Function
Softener and conditioner
Emulsifier
Stabilizing agent
Regulatory Lists
inert_ingredient; non_food_use; Pesticides
Europe; Personal care
children; Europe; Personal care
children; Europe; Personal care
children; Europe; Personal care - general moisturizing - hand/body lotion
children; Europe; Personal care
Europe; Personal care - liniment
Europe; Personal care
Europe; Personal care
Europe; Personal care
Europe; Personal care
Europe; Personal care
Europe; Personal care
CEDI
Indirect additives food contact (10/2018)
active_ingredient; animal_products; Europe; pharmaceutical; residue
Australian Status
AICIS status: listed
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cetearyl Alcohol allowed in the EU?
Cetearyl Alcohol EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Cetearyl Alcohol do in cosmetics?
Cetearyl Alcohol functions as: Long-chain fatty alcohol (C16–C18 blend) functioning as emollient, co-emulsifier, and viscosity builder. Stabilizes O/W emulsions and improves skin feel.. It is classified as a Emollient in our database. CAS number: 67762-27-0.
Is Cetearyl Alcohol used outside cosmetics?
Cetearyl Alcohol also appears in industrial chemical safety data. The cross-vertical cards on this page render same-CAS public rows from the matched databases.
Compliance Tools
Check Cetearyl Alcohol compliance across multiple jurisdictions:
Ingredient Decoder
Paste a full ingredient list for instant analysis
82 Allergen Checker
Check for EU declarable fragrance allergens
Substance Compliance
Check compliance across multiple jurisdictions
MoS Calculator
Calculate Margin of Safety using SCCS methodology
Heavy Metal Limits
Compare limits across jurisdictions
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