
Long chain aliphatic alcohols are widely used in the personal care industry. Cetyl alcohol, a straight chain fatty alcohol with 16 carbons, is considered one of the most versatile, and is currently used in cosmetics, select shampoos, and as a raw material for the manufacture of surfactants. Also referred to as C16 fatty alcohol, palmityl alcohol and 1-hexadecanol, this ingredient is typically used as a nongelling thickener, co-emulsifier and an emollient.1