fatty alcohol

Cetearyl Alcohol

Evidenceemerging · Tier 3Irritation riskLowIn products2,465

Combination of cetyl (C16) and stearyl (C18) alcohols. Same Malassezia-feeding concern as individual fatty alcohols. Widely used as an emulsifier and thickener in creams and lotions.

The research

Cetearyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol backed by early but promising evidence (evidence tier 3 of 4). We track 2 studies for it, 2 reporting a positive effect.

Read the research — 2 studies

Journal of Clinical and Investigative Dermatology · 2015 · review

Comprehensive review of seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff: affirms Malassezia's central etiologic role and its dependence on skin lipids, with disease driven by lipase-released free fatty acids combined with host sensitivity; supports reducing Malassezia-feeding lipids in predisposed patients.

Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings · 2005 · review

Reviews Malassezia's role in dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis: the lipid-dependent yeast secretes lipases that hydrolyze sebaceous lipids, releasing irritating free fatty acids; individual sensitivity to these metabolites drives disease, supporting limitation of Malassezia-feeding lipid ingredients on affected skin.

Products with Cetearyl Alcohol

In 2,465 products — most often moisturizers (1196), serums (542), sunscreens (210), from $4.00 to $1115.62. Set up a profile to rank these for your skin. Click any product to learn more.

10 of 24
Caudalie

Caudalie

Caudalie Premier Cru Skin Barrier Rich Refillable Moisturiser with Bio-Ceramides 50ml

Moisturizer

$107.9550ml · $2.16/ml

★★★★★4.9(958)

Ideal for

  • ExcellentDryness
  • StrongFine lines & wrinkles

Not recommended for

Seborrheic DermatitisRosaceaAtopic Dermatitis / EczemaPerioral DermatitisPsoriasisMelasma

Caudalie Premier Cru Skin Barrier Rich Refillable Moisturiser with Bio-Ceramides 50ml is a antioxidant serum by Caudalie. Key ingredients include Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol.

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ESPA

ESPA

ESPA Hydrating Cleansing Milk 200ml

Cleanser – for Dryness

$36.83200ml · $0.18/ml

★★★★★4.9(722)

Ideal for

  • StrongDryness

Not recommended for

Seborrheic DermatitisAtopic Dermatitis / EczemaRosaceaPerioral DermatitisPsoriasisMelasma

ESPA Hydrating Cleansing Milk 200ml is a water cleanser by ESPA. Key ingredients include Water, Glycerin, Sweet Almond Oil.

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Pai

Pai

Pai Skincare Middlemist Seven™ Gentle Cream Cleanser 150ml

Cleanser

$43.18150ml · $0.29/ml

★★★★★4.8(727)

Ideal for

  • ExcellentDryness
  • RelevantUneven texture
  • RelevantFine lines & wrinkles
  • RelevantDark spots & hyperpigmentation

Not recommended for

Seborrheic DermatitisAtopic Dermatitis / EczemaRosaceaPsoriasis

Pai Skincare Middlemist Seven™ Gentle Cream Cleanser 150ml is a water cleanser by Pai. Key ingredients include Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin.

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Curlsmith

Curlsmith

Curlsmith Double Cream Deep Quencher 237ml

Moisturizer

$22.29237ml · $0.09/ml

★★★★★4.8(769)

Ideal for

  • ExcellentDryness
  • RelevantRedness & sensitivity

Not recommended for

Seborrheic DermatitisAtopic Dermatitis / EczemaRosaceaPerioral DermatitisPsoriasisMelasma

Curlsmith Double Cream Deep Quencher 237ml is a basic moisturiser by Curlsmith. Key ingredients include Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Propanediol.

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Omorovicza

Omorovicza

Omorovicza Illuminating Moisturiser (50ml)

Moisturizer

$120.6550ml · $2.41/ml

★★★★★4.8(816)

Ideal for

  • StrongDryness

Not recommended for

Seborrheic DermatitisAtopic Dermatitis / EczemaRosaceaPerioral DermatitisPsoriasisMelasma

Omorovicza Illuminating Moisturiser (50ml) is a antioxidant serum by Omorovicza. Key ingredients include Water, Glycerin, Jojoba Oil.

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Caudalie

Caudalie

Caudalie Premier Cru Anti-Aging Eye Cream for Fine Lines and Wrinkles 15ml

Eye Cream – for Dryness, Fine lines & wrinkles

$57.1515ml · $3.81/ml

★★★★★4.8(5,310)

Ideal for

  • StrongDryness
  • StrongFine lines & wrinkles

Not recommended for

Seborrheic Dermatitis

Caudalie Premier Cru Anti-Aging Eye Cream for Fine Lines and Wrinkles 15ml is a eye cream by Caudalie. Key ingredients include Mica, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Ethylhexyl Stearate.

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Eve Lom

Eve Lom

Eve Lom Cleanser 200ml

Cleanser

$127.00200ml · $0.64/ml

★★★★★4.8(908)

Not recommended for

Acne & breakoutsSeborrheic DermatitisRosacea

Eve Lom Cleanser 200ml is a water cleanser by Eve Lom. Key ingredients include Cetearyl Alcohol, Cocoa Butter, Eucalyptus Oil.

Product Ingredients (4)

Irritation risk: unlikely possible likely

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ESPA

ESPA

ESPA 24hr Replenishing Moisturiser 55ml

Moisturizer

$64.7755ml · $1.18/ml

★★★★★4.8(932)

Ideal for

  • StrongDryness

Not recommended for

Acne & breakoutsSeborrheic DermatitisRosacea

ESPA 24hr Replenishing Moisturiser 55ml is a antioxidant serum by ESPA. Key ingredients include Water, Isopropyl Palmitate, Glyceryl Stearate SE.

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Noughty

Noughty

Noughty To the Rescue Intense Moisture Treatment 300ml

Moisturizer

$15.23300ml · $0.05/ml

★★★★★4.8(1,612)

Ideal for

  • StrongDryness

Not recommended for

Acne & breakoutsSeborrheic DermatitisAtopic Dermatitis / EczemaRosaceaPerioral DermatitisPsoriasisMelasma

Noughty To the Rescue Intense Moisture Treatment 300ml is a basic moisturiser by Noughty. Key ingredients include Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Coco-Caprylate.

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Kérastase

Kérastase

Kérastase Resistance Therepiste Serum 30ml

Serum

$66.0430ml · $2.20/ml

★★★★★4.8(590)

Ideal for

  • StrongDryness

Not recommended for

Seborrheic DermatitisRosacea

Kérastase Resistance Therepiste Serum 30ml is a hydrating serum by Kérastase. Key ingredients include Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethiconol, Dimethicone.

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Educational information, not medical advice. Study findings summarise the cited research and may not reflect every formulation.