Fatty Alcohol

Fatty alcohols are derived from natural fats and oils, and despite their name, they are non-drying, wax-like compounds essential to cosmetic formulation. They primarily function as emollients to soften and condition the skin, and they are powerful co-emulsifiers and thickeners to give products like creams and lotions a stable, luxurious texture. Common examples include Cetyl Alcohol and Stearyl Alcohol, which are key for binding oil and water phases to prevent separation and enhancing the overall feel and spreadability of a formula.