Cetearyl Alcohol

Cetearyl Alcohol: Softening + Smoothing

What is it? A chemical found in many cosmetic products, it is a combination of cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol which are both fatty alcohols.

 

Why is it important? Used in many different haircare products for its ability to detangle, add moisture and improve hair texture. Cetearyl alcohol works well with most hair types (curly, coarse, fine, color treated etc). What sets it apart from other alcohols is the fact that it won't strip the natural oils from your hair or dehydrate the scalp. The FDA even allows it to be an ingredient in products labeled “alcohol - free” due to its unique chemical structure.