What it is
A waxy long-chain fatty alcohol that thickens emulsions, stabilizes them, and softens skin. Despite the name, cosmetic fatty alcohols like this are emollient and non-drying, unlike simple solvent alcohols.
Safety & warnings
Fatty alcohols are generally well tolerated; they are non-drying emollients.
Origin & sourcing
Fatty alcohol, typically plant-derived.
Questions everyone asks
Is stearyl alcohol drying?
No, it is an emollient fatty alcohol that softens skin, not a drying solvent alcohol.
What does it do?
It thickens and stabilizes creams and gives a soft, smooth feel.