Cetyl Alcohol

Cetyl alcohol is a waxy ingredient that does a lot of heavy lifting in formulas. It's an emollient, so it softens skin and helps products feel smooth. It also acts as an emulsifier, which means it helps oil and water mix together without separating. You'll find it in creams and lotions because it thickens the texture and makes products more stable on the shelf. It can boost foam in cleansers and mask other ingredient smells. It's been used in skincare for decades and is generally well tolerated. Despite the name, it's not the same as the alcohol that dries skin out.