Cetyl Alcohol
Cetyl Alcohol is an emollient and surfactant ingredient. It’s in 1,085 products on Poliage, most often conditioner, body lotion and moisturizer. Avoid lists on Poliage that include it: none.
Updated October 23, 2026
In plain English
A fatty alcohol (not a drying alcohol). Softens skin, thickens creams and helps oil and water stay blended.
What it does
Contains Cetyl Alcohol: emollient
Function listed in CosIng
Contains Cetyl Alcohol: emulsifying
Function listed in CosIng
Contains Cetyl Alcohol: emulsion-stabilising
Function listed in CosIng
Contains Cetyl Alcohol: foam-boosting
Function listed in CosIng
Contains Cetyl Alcohol: masking
Function listed in CosIng
Contains Cetyl Alcohol: opacifying
Function listed in CosIng
Contains Cetyl Alcohol: surfactant
Function listed in CosIng
Contains Cetyl Alcohol: viscosity-controlling
Function listed in CosIng
Source: CosIng, the European Commission cosmetic ingredient database, ref 32596, accessed October 22, 2026. Also listed as alcohol cetylicus, 1 hexadecanol and hexadecanol.
Products that contain Cetyl Alcohol
Differin
Daily Brightening Exfoliator
Exfoliant · Lists coconut derivatives
Native
Daily Clean Conditioner
Conditioner · Lists fragrance
Cetaphil
Daily Facial Moisturizer SPF 50
Sunscreen · Lists parabens, silicones, chemical UV filters
Cetaphil
Daily Hydrating Lotion
Body lotion · Lists silicones
Act+Acre
Daily Hydro™ Hydrating Conditioner
Conditioner · Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens, drying alcohol, exfoliating acid, essential oils
Pantene
Daily Moisture Renewal conditioner
Conditioner · Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens, drying alcohol, silicones
Aveeno
Daily Moisturing Body Lotion
Lists fragrance allergens, silicones
Aveeno
Daily Moisturing Face Cream
Moisturizer · Lists silicones
cerave
daily moisturizing cream
Lists parabens, silicones
CeraVe
Daily Moisturizing Lotion
Body lotion · Lists silicones
daily nourishing body lotion
Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens, silicones
Caudalie
Dark Circle Brightening Eye Cream with Niacinamide
Eye cream · Lists coconut derivatives
Gold Bond
Dark Spot Minimizing Body Cream
Body lotion · Lists exfoliating acid, parabens, silicones, formaldehyde releasers
R+Co
DE LUXE REPARATIVE CONDITIONER
Conditioner · Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens, drying alcohol, silicones, chemical UV filters
Kiss My Face
De-Stress Hand & Body Lotion - Fragrance Free
Body lotion · None of Poliage’s flag groups listed
Kiss My Face
De-Stress Hand & Body Lotion - Lemongrass + Juniper Berry
Body lotion · Lists essential oils
Kiss My Face
De-Stress Hand & Body Lotion - Peppermint + Clary Sage
Body lotion · Lists essential oils
Cationic Hydration Interlink
Deep Brilliance Reconstruct
Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens, retinoid, essential oils, silicones
Neutrogena
Deep Clean Gentle Facial Scrub
Lists fragrance, exfoliating acid, parabens, salicylic acid, coconut derivatives
Watsons
Deep cleansing micellar conditioner
Lists fragrance allergens, drying alcohol, exfoliating acid
Andalou Naturals
Deep Hydration Multi-Correcting Cream
Moisturizer · Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens
Cetaphil
Deep Hydration Refreshing Eye Serum
Eye cream · None of Poliage’s flag groups listed
Andalou Naturals
Deep Hydration Reviving Eye Cream
Eye cream · Lists drying alcohol
Neutrogena
Deep Moisture - hypoallergenic body lotion
Body lotion · None of Poliage’s flag groups listed