Cetyl alcohol
Cetyl alcohol, also known as 1-hexadecanol or palmityl alcohol, is a fatty alcohol that is commonly used in the cosmetics and personal care industry. It is a white, waxy solid that is insoluble in water and has a mild, characteristic odor.
History
Cetyl alcohol was first discovered in 1817 by the French chemist Michel Chevreul. He isolated it from sperm whale oil, hence its original name, "cetin", derived from the Latin cetus meaning whale. Today, cetyl alcohol is primarily derived from palm oil and coconut oil.
Properties and Uses
Cetyl alcohol is a long-chain fatty alcohol with the chemical formula C16H34O. It has a melting point of 49-50 degrees Celsius and a boiling point of 344 degrees Celsius. It is non-toxic and is generally considered safe for use in cosmetics and personal care products.
In the cosmetics industry, cetyl alcohol is used as an emollient, emulsifier, thickener, and surfactant. It is found in a wide range of products, including skin care products, hair care products, and makeup. It helps to soften and smooth the skin, prevent the separation of oil and water in products, and improve the texture and consistency of products.
Health and Safety
Cetyl alcohol is generally considered safe for use in cosmetics and personal care products. However, some people may experience skin irritation or allergic reactions to cetyl alcohol. It is recommended to perform a patch test before using a new product containing cetyl alcohol.
Environmental Impact
Cetyl alcohol is biodegradable and is not considered to be harmful to the environment. However, the production of cetyl alcohol from palm oil can contribute to deforestation and the loss of biodiversity.
See Also
Cetyl alcohol structure
Cetyl alcohol 3D model
Transform your life with W8MD's budget GLP-1 injections from $125.
W8MD offers a medical weight loss program to lose weight in Philadelphia. Our physician-supervised medical weight loss provides:
- Most insurances accepted or discounted self-pay rates. We will obtain insurance prior authorizations if needed.
- Generic GLP1 weight loss injections from $125 for the starting dose.
- Also offer prescription weight loss medications including Phentermine, Qsymia, Diethylpropion, Contrave etc.
NYC weight loss doctor appointments
Start your NYC weight loss journey today at our NYC medical weight loss and Philadelphia medical weight loss clinics.
- Call 718-946-5500 to lose weight in NYC or for medical weight loss in Philadelphia 215-676-2334.
- Tags:NYC medical weight loss, Philadelphia lose weight Zepbound NYC, Budget GLP1 weight loss injections, Wegovy Philadelphia, Wegovy NYC, Philadelphia medical weight loss, Brookly weight loss and Wegovy NYC
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
