Product Overview
Cetearyl Alcohol (50/50 Blend) is a white, waxy solid fatty alcohol mixture composed of equal parts Cetyl Alcohol (1-hexadecanol, C16) and Stearyl Alcohol (1-octadecanol, C18). It is derived from natural vegetable sources, primarily coconut oil and palm oil, through the reduction of the corresponding fatty acids. Its INCI name is Cetearyl Alcohol, and it is also commonly referred to as Cetostearyl Alcohol or Cetyl Stearyl Alcohol across cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and industrial documentation.
The equal 50/50 blend ratio produces a softer, more flexible wax compared to the 30/70 blend, making it particularly well suited for lighter emulsions, fluid lotions, and formulations where a less heavy, less occlusive skin feel is desired while still benefiting from the thickening and stabilizing properties of cetearyl alcohol. It functions simultaneously as a co-emulsifier, thickener, emollient, foam stabilizer, and opacifier. It is a non-drying fatty alcohol that conditions and moisturizes skin and hair, accepted in USP-NF and European Pharmacopoeia as a pharmaceutical excipient, and FDA-approved as a food additive for specific applications.
Key Features & Benefits
- Balanced 50/50 blend of cetyl alcohol (C16) and stearyl alcohol (C18) from coconut and palm oil — a plant-based, vegetable-sourced fatty alcohol.
- Produces softer, lighter emulsions compared to the 30/70 blend, providing a smooth, less occlusive skin feel suited to fluid lotions and everyday moisturizers.
- 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 without the stripping effect of 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.
- Accepted in USP-NF and European Pharmacopoeia as a pharmaceutical excipient; FDA-approved food additive for specific applications.
- Solid at room temperature with a melting point of approximately 48 to 55 degrees C, enabling easy handling, storage, and incorporation into hot-process manufacturing.
Applications
Cetearyl Alcohol 50/50 Blend is used across five industry categories served by EZ Elements, wherever a balanced, lighter emulsifying and conditioning wax is required in formulation or manufacturing.
- Lightweight moisturizing lotions and fluid body creams as a primary emulsifier and thickener providing smooth, non-heavy texture
- Daily face moisturizers, tinted moisturizers, and BB creams where a lighter skin feel is preferred over richer formulations
- Hair conditioners, leave-in conditioners, and detangling sprays as a co-emulsifier and conditioning agent improving slip and manageability
- Shampoos as an opacifier, foam stabilizer, and conditioning additive improving both product appearance and hair feel after washing
- Body butters and anhydrous formulations where the 50/50 blend contributes a softer, more pliable texture than the 30/70 grade
- Sunscreen emulsions and SPF lotion formulations requiring stable, well-structured but lightweight oil-in-water emulsion systems
- Color cosmetics including foundations, primers, and BB creams requiring stable emulsion performance with a smooth, non-greasy application feel
- Topical pharmaceutical creams, ointments, and emollient formulations as an emulsifier and stabilizer for active pharmaceutical ingredient distribution
- Pharmaceutical cold creams, medicated moisturizers, and emollient preparations for dermatological conditions requiring a softer product feel
- Medicated hair and scalp preparations requiring conditioning emulsion structures supporting active ingredient delivery to the scalp
- Suppository formulations and semi-solid pharmaceutical dosage forms as a structural excipient with a lower melting point than the 30/70 grade
- USP-NF and European Pharmacopoeia accepted excipient in topical pharmaceutical formulations requiring documented and regulated fatty alcohol quality
- Liquid hand soaps, cream cleansers, and conditioning body washes as an opacifier, foam stabilizer, and mild emollient additive
- Fabric softener and conditioning laundry care formulations where cetearyl alcohol contributes emulsion stability and softening performance
- Cream-format surface cleaners and household cleaning emulsions requiring a thickening and stabilizing fatty alcohol component
- Conditioning shampoo-format pet care cleaning products and institutional cleaning products with emollient performance requirements
- Textile and fiber processing as a lubricant, softening agent, and fiber finishing additive in yarn and fabric production
- Leather finishing formulations where cetearyl alcohol forms a flexible, conditioning film on leather surfaces
- Plastics and polymer processing as a plasticizer and processing aid improving material workability in manufacturing
- Industrial lubricant formulations where the balanced cetyl-stearyl blend contributes controlled viscosity and film-forming stability
- Chemical intermediate in surfactant synthesis and specialty oleochemical manufacturing processes
Note: Cetearyl Alcohol holds FDA approval as a direct food additive under 21 CFR for specific food manufacturing applications. However, Cetearyl Alcohol 50/50 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.
- Emulsion stabilizer and texture modifier in margarine, processed fats, and food manufacturing applications (food-grade)
- Opacifier and consistency agent in certain processed food and confectionery 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 | 50% Cetyl Alcohol (C16) and 50% 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 | 48 degrees C to 55 degrees C (slightly lower than the 30/70 blend) |
| 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 warm 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 8% 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 50/50 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 50/50 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.
- 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 50/50 Blend?
Cetearyl Alcohol 50/50 Blend is used across five industries: Personal Care (lightweight emulsifier, thickener, and conditioner in lotions, hair conditioners, shampoos, and color cosmetics), Pharmaceutical (excipient and emulsifier in topical creams, ointments, and suppositories), Cleaning and Sanitation (opacifier, foam stabilizer, and emollient in hand soaps, fabric softeners, and cream cleansers), Industrial (textile softener, leather finisher, plastics processing aid, and industrial lubricant), and Food and Beverages (FDA-approved food additive as an emulsion stabilizer in specific food manufacturing applications — food-grade material only).
Q2: What is the difference between Cetearyl Alcohol 50/50 and 30/70 Blends?
The 30/70 blend contains 30% cetyl alcohol and 70% stearyl alcohol, producing a harder, stiffer wax that creates firmer, more structured emulsions with a richer, more occlusive skin feel. The 50/50 blend contains equal parts cetyl and stearyl alcohol and produces softer, lighter emulsions with a smoother, less heavy finish. The 50/50 blend is preferred for everyday lotions, fluid body creams, and hair conditioners where lightness and wearability are priorities. The 30/70 blend is better suited for richer creams, intensive conditioners, and body butters where greater body and structure are required.
Q3: Is Cetearyl Alcohol the same as regular drying alcohol?
No. Cetearyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol — a long-chain waxy solid — and is completely different from short-chain drying alcohols such as ethanol or isopropyl alcohol. Short-chain alcohols strip moisture from skin and can cause irritation with repeated use. Cetearyl Alcohol, by contrast, acts as an emollient and conditioning agent that softens skin, supports moisture retention, and contributes to the smooth, silky texture of lotions and conditioners. It is one of the most widely accepted and well-tolerated ingredients in cosmetic and pharmaceutical formulation globally.
Q4: How does Cetearyl Alcohol 50/50 perform in hair conditioners compared to the 30/70 blend?
In hair conditioner formulations, the 50/50 blend is generally preferred over the 30/70 blend when a lighter, more fluid conditioner texture is desired. It provides effective conditioning, slip, and detangling performance while producing a product that rinses out more easily and feels less heavy on the hair. The 30/70 blend is preferred for thick, intensive deep conditioners and hair masks where a richer, more cushioning texture is the goal. Many formulators blend both grades to achieve specific viscosity and conditioning profiles.
Q5: Is Cetearyl Alcohol 50/50 Blend suitable for pharmaceutical topical 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 topical pharmaceutical preparations. The 50/50 blend is particularly suited to pharmaceutical formulations requiring a softer, lighter emulsion base — such as fluid topical creams and medicated lotions — where the firmer texture produced by the 30/70 blend would not be appropriate.
Q6: Where can I buy Cetearyl Alcohol 50/50 Blend in bulk in Canada?
Cetearyl Alcohol 50/50 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 50/50 Blend in formulations:
- Cetearyl Alcohol (30/70 Blend) — The firmer, stiffer blend of cetyl and stearyl alcohols preferred for richer creams, intensive conditioners, and body butters requiring greater structure and body.
- Cetyl Alcohol (1698) — Single-component cetyl alcohol (C16 only) offering a lighter emollient feel; commonly combined with cetearyl blends to fine-tune formulation texture and skin feel.
- Coco Glucoside Low Viscosity — Mild non-ionic surfactant that complements cetearyl alcohol in shampoo and cleansing formulations, contributing a gentle, sulfate-free cleansing base alongside the thickening and conditioning function of the fatty alcohol.
Order or Enquire
Looking to buy Cetearyl Alcohol 50/50 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.
