Stearyl Alcohol (Lanette 18)

CAS Number:

112-92-5

Chemical Name: 

Stearyl Alcohol. Also known as Octadecan-1-ol, 1-Octadecanol

Brand Name:

 Lanette® 18 (manufactured by BASF)

Molecular Formula:

CH3(CH2)16CH2OH or C18H38O

Molecular Weight:

270.50 g/mol

Common Form:

White to light yellowish waxy pellets or flakes. Hydrophilic waxy substance

Uses:

Stearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol used primarily as a consistency-giving agent and viscosity regulator in cosmetic and pharmaceutical formulations. It provides structure, stability, and improved sensory properties to a wide range of products .

Primary Applications :

· Skin Care: Used in face creams, body lotions, moisturizers, cleansing products, and anti-aging formulations to provide rich texture and stability .

· Sun Care: Incorporated into after-sun products, sun protection creams, and self-tanning formulations .

· Hair Care: Used in conditioners, shampoos, hair coloring products, and conditioning treatments for its smoothing and detangling properties .

· Color Cosmetics: Added to foundations, makeup removers, and other color products .

· Antiperspirants & Deodorants: Provides consistency in stick formulations and creams .

· Baby Care: Used in gentle baby creams and cleansing products .

· Pharmaceuticals: Used in topical ointments and emulsions as a consistency factor .

What does Stearyl Alcohol (Lanette® 18) do in a formulation?

• Viscosity Modifier / Consistency Factor: Primary function. Regulates and increases the viscosity of oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions, providing the desired thickness and body to creams and lotions.
• Emulsion Stabilizer: Helps stabilize emulsions by reinforcing the interfacial film around oil droplets, preventing coalescence and separation.
• Opacifier: Contributes to the opaque, rich appearance of creams and lotions.
• Emollient: Provides a smooth, soft feel on skin without greasiness, improving the sensory profile of finished products.
• Co-emulsifier: Works synergistically with primary emulsifiers (such as Ceteareth-20, Ceteareth-25, or GMS) to enhance emulsion stability and performance.
• Structuring Agent: In stick products (deodorants, lip balms), it provides structural integrity and hardness.
• Foam Booster: In cleansing formulations, it can help stabilize and improve foam quality.

Safety Profile:

· Hazard Classification: Generally recognized as safe for use in cosmetics and personal care. Not classified as hazardous under normal use conditions . According to CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review), fatty alcohols including stearyl alcohol are considered safe as used in cosmetics .

· Skin/Eye Contact: Considered non-irritating and non-sensitizing at typical use concentrations. Pure material may cause mild mechanical irritation from dust .

· Inhalation: Dust from pellets/flakes may cause respiratory tract irritation. Avoid creating dust during handling .

· Ingestion: Low oral toxicity; not intended for ingestion .

· Comedogenicity: Non-comedogenic - does not clog pores, suitable for acne-prone skin formulations .

· Environmental Impact: Readily biodegradable. Derived from natural vegetable sources (palm or coconut oil), making it sustainable and environmentally friendly .

· Required PPE: Safety glasses and dust mask recommended when handling raw material in manufacturing settings. Gloves recommended for prolonged handling .

· Storage and Handling Note: Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat. Keep container tightly closed to prevent contamination. Protect from moisture .

Technical profile:

Certifications & Compliance:

· COSMOS certified

  · ECOCERT compliant

  · NaTrue compliant

  · RSPO Mass Balance certified (sustainable palm oil)

  · Clean at Sephora

  · Ulta Beauty's Conscious Beauty

  · EU Ecolabel, Nordic Swan Ecolabel

  · REACH (Europe) compliant

  · ISO 9001 certified

  · China IECIC listed

  · GMO-free, Nanomaterials-free, Preservative-free