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 21, 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
Acure
Future Fusion PM Moisturizer
Moisturizer · Lists retinoid, essential oils
Pacifica
Future Youth Time Shift Eye Serum
Eye cream · None of Poliage’s flag groups listed
R+Co
GEMSTONE Color Conditioner
Conditioner · Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens, coconut derivatives
Algenist
GENIUS Ultimate Anti-Aging Eye Cream
Eye cream · Lists silicones
Revision Skincare
Gentle Cleansing Lotion
Cleanser · Lists silicones, coconut derivatives
Equate
Gentle Skin Cleanser
Lists sulfates
equate
gentle skin cream (long lasting moisture)
Lists fragrance allergens, silicones
Nivea
Gesichtssonnencreme
Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens, drying alcohol, sulfates, chemical UV filters
ghj
Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens, silicones
Gingham
Lists fragrance allergens, silicones, formaldehyde releasers
Beekman 1802
Glacial Mint & Eucalyptus Milk Scrub Oat & Goat Milk Exfoliating Body Polish
Exfoliant · Lists fragrance, coconut derivatives
gloss moderne
Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens, drying alcohol, silicones
Facetheory
Glow-C Cream Cleanser
Cleanser · Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens, exfoliating acid, essential oils
Facetheory
Glow-C Daily Moisturiser SPF 30
Sunscreen · Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens, exfoliating acid, essential oils, chemical UV filters, coconut derivatives
Facetheory
Glow-C Eye Cream
Eye cream · Lists exfoliating acid, coconut derivatives
The Body Shop
Glowing Cherry Blossom Body Cream
Body lotion · Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens, silicones
NeoStrata
Glycolic Microdermabrasion Face Polish
Exfoliant · Lists fragrance, exfoliating acid
Kiss My Face
Goat Milk Hand & Body Lotion - Lavender + Jasmin
Body lotion · Lists drying alcohol, essential oils
Kiss My Face
Goat Milk Hand & Body Lotion - Rosemary + Tea Tree
Body lotion · Lists drying alcohol, essential oils
Gold Bond Diabetics’ Dry Skin Relief Foot Cream
Lists parabens, silicones, formaldehyde releasers
gold bond hand cream
Lists fragrance, silicones
gold bond radiance renewal
Lists exfoliating acid, silicones
gold bond ultimate diabetics dry skin relief
Lists retinoid, parabens, silicones, formaldehyde releasers
gold bond
gold bond ultimate eczema relief
Lists parabens, silicones