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Cetearyl alcohol is fatty alcohol (not to be confused with rubbing alcohol) commonly used in skincare and beauty products. It’s a white, waxy mixture of cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol, which are both fatty alcohols. These combinations can be either synthetic or naturally sourced from palm or coconut oil. Unlike rubbing alcohol, fatty alcohols are moisturizing to the skin.
Lotions, creams, and other topical ointments include cetearyl alcohol to create a smoother texture, thicken lotions, and stabilize foams.
Cetearyl alcohol is an ingredient best used in creams, lotions, and ointments. It improves the texture of these products, making them smoother and easier to absorb into the skin. It also keeps other ingredients from separating out into oil and water-based ingredients. It also can act as a moisture barrier for moisturizers and day and night creams.
Unless you have a specific allergy to cetearyl alcohol, there aren’t any real drawbacks as far as side effects or irritation to the skin. It does not have the same chemical structure as rubbing alcohols that irritate and dry the skin.
Healthy skin is typically described as being bright and glowing. Dull skin, on the other hand, refers to an overall unhealthy pallor – ashy, gray, or very pale yellowish. Overly dry skin can cause damage to the follicles and production of collagen and sebum, which can cause the skin to appear duller or ashy. Also, when dead skin cells don’t naturally shed properly, they clog the pores and can cause a dullness to the skin.
To prevent damage to skin cells that cause your complexion to dull, it’s best to moisturize daily and wear sunscreen. Additionally, antioxidants protect the skin from free radicals that damage cells and speed up aging. Ingredients and nutrients like vitamin C, rosehip oil, jojoba oil, green tea extract, retinol/vitamin A, coenzyme Q10, vitamin B, alpha-hydroxy acid and salicylic acid are all beneficial for preventing and reducing dullness. Hydrolyzed collagen is good for boosting the plumpness of skin and enhancing the appearance of damaged skin by restoring the overall vitality of the skin.
cetearyl alcohol may be effective for dullness, but there are many other factors that may affect whether this ingredient would work on your skin or if there are better ingredients that may work for you. Take this skin quiz to find the best ingredients for your skin and build your skincare routine.
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