Product Overview
Cetearyl Alcohol (30/70 Blend) is a white, waxy solid fatty alcohol mixture composed of 30% Cetyl Alcohol (1-hexadecanol, C16) and 70% Stearyl Alcohol (1-octadecanol, C18). It is derived from natural vegetable sources, primarily coconut oil and palm oil, through the hydrogenation and reduction of the corresponding fatty acids. Its INCI name is Cetearyl Alcohol, and it is also referred to as Cetostearyl Alcohol or Cetyl Stearyl Alcohol across cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and industrial documentation.
The 30/70 blend ratio results in a harder, stiffer wax compared to the 50/50 blend, making it particularly well suited for formulations that require firm structure, higher viscosity, and more body in the finished product. It functions simultaneously as a co-emulsifier, thickener, emollient, foam stabilizer, and opacifier. Unlike short-chain alcohols such as ethanol, Cetearyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol with conditioning and moisturizing properties that benefit both skin and hair. It is one of the foundational ingredients across personal care, pharmaceutical, cleaning, and industrial formulations and carries FDA approval as a food additive under 21 CFR for specific applications.
Key Features & Benefits
- Composed of 30% cetyl alcohol (C16) and 70% stearyl alcohol (C18) derived from coconut and palm oil — a plant-based, vegetable-sourced fatty alcohol blend.
- Produces harder, stiffer emulsions and formulations compared to the 50/50 blend, providing greater structure and body to finished products.
- Functions as a co-emulsifier, thickener, opacifier, emollient, and foam stabilizer across personal care, pharmaceutical, cleaning, and industrial systems.
- Non-drying fatty alcohol that conditions and moisturizes skin and hair — fundamentally different from short-chain drying alcohols such as ethanol.
- Stable across a broad temperature and pH range, compatible with anionic, cationic, non-ionic, and amphoteric surfactants and actives.
- FDA-approved food additive under 21 CFR; accepted in USP-NF and European Pharmacopoeia for pharmaceutical applications.
- Solid at room temperature with a melting point of approximately 49 to 56 degrees C, enabling easy handling, storage, and integration into hot-process manufacturing.
Applications
Cetearyl Alcohol 30/70 Blend is used across five industry categories served by EZ Elements, wherever emulsification, thickening, stabilization, or structural firmness is required in formulation or manufacturing.
- Moisturizing creams, face creams, and body lotions as a primary emulsifier, co-emulsifier, and viscosity builder providing rich, structured texture
- Hair conditioners, deep conditioning treatments, and hair masks as a key thickener and conditioning agent providing slip and detangling
- Leave-on skin care formulations and intensive overnight repair creams requiring a firm, structured emulsion base
- Shampoos as an opacifier, foam stabilizer, and conditioner improving both product appearance and hair feel
- Body butters, anhydrous body polishes, and oil-blend formulations where the 30/70 ratio adds firmness to the product body
- Sunscreen emulsions, tinted moisturizers, and SPF products requiring stable, structured emulsion systems
- Color cosmetics including foundations and BB creams requiring emulsion stability and a smooth, skin-feel texture
- Topical pharmaceutical creams and ointments as an emulsifier and stabilizer ensuring even, consistent distribution of active pharmaceutical ingredients
- Pharmaceutical cold creams, emollient preparations, and medicated moisturizers for dermatological conditions
- Suppository formulations and semi-solid pharmaceutical dosage forms as a structural excipient and lubricant
- Medicated hair and scalp preparations requiring conditioning emulsion structures around active delivery systems
- Ophthalmic and sterile topical preparations where high-purity fatty alcohol is required as a formulation excipient
- Pet shampoos and grooming conditioners as a co-emulsifier, thickener, and conditioning agent providing slip, detangling, and a smooth coat feel after rinsing
- Leave-on pet coat conditioning creams and intensive coat treatment emulsions requiring firm, stable emulsion structure for dogs and cats
- Paw balm and nose balm emulsion formulations where cetearyl alcohol contributes protective emollient structure for cracked or dry animal skin
- Veterinary topical cream and ointment preparations requiring a mild, well-tolerated fatty alcohol emulsifier and excipient for animal skin applications
- Liquid hand soaps, cream body washes, and personal hygiene products as an opacifier and foam stabilizer improving product aesthetics
- Household cream cleansers and scrub-format surface cleaning products as a thickening and stabilizing agent
- Emulsion-based disinfectants and sanitizing preparations where emulsion stability throughout shelf life is critical
- Industrial hand cleaners and barrier cream formulations requiring mild emollient and protective skin properties
- Industrial lubricant and grease formulations where cetearyl alcohol contributes viscosity, stability, and film-forming properties
- Textile processing — used as a softening agent, lubricant, and fiber finishing additive in fabric and yarn production
- PVC and polymer processing as a plasticizer and processing aid that improves material workability
- Wood, furniture, and leather polishes and wax formulations as a structural wax component
- Chemical intermediate in surfactant synthesis and oleochemical manufacturing processes
Note: Cetearyl Alcohol is approved by the FDA as a direct food additive under 21 CFR 172.864 and 21 CFR 172.755 for specific food manufacturing applications. However, Cetearyl Alcohol 30/70 Blend as supplied by EZ Elements is intended primarily for cosmetic and pharmaceutical formulation use. Customers requiring food-grade material for direct food applications should confirm grade suitability and applicable regulatory compliance with EZ Elements before use in food products.
- Emulsion stabilizer in margarine, shortening, and processed fat products (food-grade)
- Opacifier and texture modifier in certain processed food formulations (food-grade)
- Indirect food additive in food contact materials and food processing equipment applications (food-grade)
Technical Specifications
| Property | Specification |
| INCI Name | Cetearyl Alcohol |
| CAS No. | 67762-27-0 |
| Blend Composition | 30% Cetyl Alcohol (C16) and 70% Stearyl Alcohol (C18) |
| Common Name | Cetostearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Stearyl Alcohol, C16/C18 Fatty Alcohol |
| Appearance | White to off-white waxy solid flakes or pastilles at room temperature |
| Melting Point | 49 degrees C to 56 degrees C |
| Purity | Minimum 95% fatty alcohol content |
| Acid Value | Maximum 1.0 mg KOH/g |
| Iodine Value | Maximum 2.0 g I2/100g |
| Moisture Content | Maximum 0.5% |
| Solubility | Insoluble in water; soluble in oils, alcohols, and organic solvents |
| Ionic Type | Non-ionic |
| Origin | Coconut oil and palm oil (C16/C18 fatty acid reduction) |
| HLB Value | Approximately 15.5 |
| Recommended Use Level | 2% to 10% in personal care; 1% to 5% in pharmaceutical topical formulations |
| Regulatory Status | FDA-approved food additive (21 CFR); accepted in USP-NF and European Pharmacopoeia |
Why Choose EZ Elements as Your Supplier
EZ Elements supplies high-purity Cetearyl Alcohol 30/70 Blend with consistent quality, verified blend composition, and complete documentation to support manufacturing across personal care, pharmaceutical, cleaning, and industrial applications in Canada and North America.
We supply personal care formulators, pharmaceutical manufacturers, cleaning product developers, and industrial producers, providing:
- Full documentation including Technical Data Sheet (TDS), Certificate of Analysis (COA), and Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
- Bulk supply with transparent, competitive pricing per kilogram
- Consistent 30/70 cetyl to stearyl blend ratio with minimum 95% fatty alcohol purity
- Technical support on emulsion design, hot-process manufacturing, use levels, and formulation compatibility
Safety & Storage Guidelines
- Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight and heat sources above 30 degrees C to prevent softening.
- Keep containers tightly sealed to prevent moisture absorption and contamination of the waxy solid.
- When melting for hot-process formulation, heat carefully to just above the melting point (50 to 60 degrees C) and avoid overheating.
- Use appropriate protective gloves when handling hot melted material to prevent thermal burns from the molten wax.
- Shelf life is typically 2 years from manufacture date when stored correctly in sealed, cool, and dry conditions.
- Always conduct stability and compatibility testing on all new formulation combinations before full commercial production.
Complete handling, first aid, and disposal information is provided in the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) available from EZ Elements upon request.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Which industries use Cetearyl Alcohol 30/70 Blend?
Cetearyl Alcohol 30/70 Blend is used across five industries: Personal Care (emulsifier, thickener, and conditioner in creams, lotions, shampoos, conditioners, and color cosmetics), Pharmaceutical (excipient and emulsifier in topical creams, ointments, and suppositories), Cleaning and Sanitation (opacifier, foam stabilizer, and thickener in hand soaps, cream cleansers, and sanitizing emulsions), Industrial (lubricants, textile softener, PVC processing, and wood and leather polishes), and Food and Beverages (FDA-approved food additive as an emulsion stabilizer in margarine and processed fats — food-grade material only).
Q2: What is the difference between Cetearyl Alcohol 30/70 and 50/50 Blend?
The 30/70 blend contains 30% cetyl alcohol (C16) and 70% stearyl alcohol (C18), producing a harder and stiffer wax that creates firmer, more structured emulsions. The 50/50 blend contains equal parts cetyl and stearyl alcohol and produces softer, lighter emulsions with a less occlusive skin feel. The 30/70 blend is preferred for richer, heavier creams, intensive conditioners, and body butters requiring substantial product body. The 50/50 blend is better suited for lighter lotions and fluid emulsions where a softer texture and less heaviness are desired.
Q3: Is Cetearyl Alcohol the same as regular alcohol? Will it dry out skin?
No. Cetearyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol — a long-chain waxy solid — and is completely different from short-chain drying alcohols like ethanol or isopropyl alcohol. Short-chain alcohols can strip moisture from skin and cause irritation. Cetearyl Alcohol, by contrast, acts as an emollient and conditioning agent that softens the skin, supports moisture retention, and contributes to the smooth, rich texture of creams and conditioners. It is one of the most widely accepted and skin-compatible ingredients used in cosmetic and pharmaceutical formulations.
Q4: How is Cetearyl Alcohol 30/70 used in hair conditioners?
In hair conditioners, Cetearyl Alcohol 30/70 serves multiple functions: it acts as a co-emulsifier helping to blend oil and water phases, as a thickener providing desired product viscosity and body, and as a conditioning agent improving slip, softness, and manageability of hair. The 30/70 blend is particularly preferred for thick, rich rinse-off conditioners, deep conditioning masks, and leave-in creams where greater structure and a more cushioning product texture are required.
Q5: Is Cetearyl Alcohol 30/70 suitable for pharmaceutical formulations?
Yes. Cetearyl Alcohol is listed in the United States Pharmacopeia and National Formulary (USP-NF) and the European Pharmacopoeia (EP) as an accepted excipient for use in topical pharmaceutical preparations. It is used as an emulsifier, stabilizer, and structural component in pharmaceutical creams, ointments, and other semisolid topical dosage forms. Formulators should verify that the specific batch meets the relevant pharmacopeial specifications for their target pharmaceutical application.
Q6: Where can I buy Cetearyl Alcohol 30/70 Blend in bulk in Canada?
Cetearyl Alcohol 30/70 Blend is available for bulk purchase from EZ Elements, with supply options for personal care brands, pharmaceutical manufacturers, cleaning product developers, and industrial producers across Canada and North America. Contact our team for current pricing, documentation, and product samples.
Related Ingredients
The following EZ Elements ingredients are commonly used alongside Cetearyl Alcohol 30/70 in personal care and pharmaceutical formulations:
- Cetearyl Alcohol 50/50 Blend — The softer, lighter blend of cetyl and stearyl alcohols; preferred for fluid lotions, lighter emulsions, and products where a less heavy skin feel is desired.
- Cetyl Alcohol (1698) — A single-component cetyl alcohol (C16 only) offering a lighter, less occlusive emollient feel; commonly combined with cetearyl blends to adjust formulation texture.
- Coco Glucoside Low Viscosity — Mild non-ionic surfactant that complements cetearyl alcohol in shampoo and cleansing formulations as a gentle foaming and cleansing base.
Order or Enquire
Looking to buy Cetearyl Alcohol 30/70 Blend in bulk? Contact EZ Elements for current pricing, full product documentation, and supply options across personal care, pharmaceutical, cleaning, and industrial applications. We supply formulators and manufacturers across Canada and North America. Reach out today to request a sample, Technical Data Sheet, or a bulk pricing quote for your next formulation project.
