Cetearyl alcohol in cosmetics: harm or benefit for women's health?

Cetearyl alcohol can often be found on the labels of the most diverse cosmetic products, both caring and decorative. Many immediately ask themselves about the effect this component has on the skin and the body as a whole. Is it worth worrying or you can rely on manufacturers? Traditionally, several types of alcohols are used in the production of cosmetic products. They can also be divided into "bad" and "good". Cetearyl alcohol in cosmetics belongs to the second group, which will be discussed further.

Description

This type of alcohol should not be confused with ethyl and attributed to him the characteristic properties of the latter. In fact, it is a waxy substance, and it is obtained from plants for later use in cosmetics in order to improve its structure. In appearance it looks like white flakes. The product is a mixture of fatty cetyl and stearyl alcohols. Cetearyl alcohol in cosmetics acts as an emulsifier. In air conditioners is responsible for the thickening effect. It maintains the stability of emulsions and provides a texture of creams and lotions.

Cetearyl alcohol in cosmetics: properties

Cetearyl alcohol is intended to improve the structure of cosmetic products. It covers the skin with a protective thin layer, protecting against rapid evaporation of moisture, and also contributes to its softening. The product dissolves in fats and is practically insoluble in water. Cetearyl alcohol is obtained from palm or coconut oil. As part of cosmetic products, it also prevents the emulsion stratification, bringing nutrients to the final destination.

It is possible to distinguish such basic properties of cetearyl alcohol in cosmetics, as well as from the effects on the skin:

- mitigation;

- protection against drying;

- air-conditioning;

- support for the texture of the product;

- the role of the thickener composition;

- prevention of the separation of cosmetics into water and oil.

The product is indispensable in the production of products for sensitive and problematic skin. It can often be found in organic care products.

Application in cosmetic products

In the cosmetic industry, cetearyl alcohol has found wide application. It is used in the production of soaps, conditioners, shampoos, skin care products and hair. The percentage of the additive varies from 1 to 20 (depending on the direction of the product's effect). The figure changes according to the presence of other oils in the recipe. If you add too much emulsifier, the cream can remain on the surface of the skin. During the application of the latter, the emulsion breaks down and the skin receives all the useful ingredients intended for it.

Facial cleansers, lotions, creams and conditioners are the most popular products and application of cetearyl alcohol in cosmetics. "Harm or benefit from this component?" - an actual and frequently asked question. Let's try to understand the details.

Harm or health benefit?

Already the fact that cetearyl alcohol is used in the manufacture of expensive organic cosmetics, speaks for itself. The products of Weleda, The Organic Pharmacy and others contain it in its composition, which is also mentioned on the labels.

Also, cetearyl alcohol has nothing to do with ethyl, and therefore do not attribute to it any of the properties of the above. Fatty alcohol is designed to create a texture of care products (as a thickener), conditioning, softening the skin and preventing it from drying out. It is obtained from natural coconut and palm oils, which once again speaks for the safety of the remedy. Cetearyl alcohol in cosmetics can not cause harm - that's a simple answer to the sought-after question.

A significant expansion of the range of caring and decorative products and the dishonesty of some manufacturers make the modern consumer learn to read and understand the labels and compositions of the products offered. In a cursory review, the presence of cetearyl alcohol in cosmetics can alienate an ignorant buyer, but you should not be afraid of this component. He does not have anything in common with traditional spirits. Knowledge of its properties and characteristics allows an answer to the question of safety for health. Cetearyl alcohol is harmless and is designed only to preserve the texture of cosmetics, while protecting the skin from drying out.