A fatty ether of cetyl alcohol and hydroxystearyl alcohol, used as an opacifier.
What it is
Hydroxystearyl cetyl ether is 1-hexadecyloxy-2-octadecanol, an ether in which a cetyl (C16) chain is joined to a C18 chain carrying a hydroxyl group. CosIng lists it as an opacifying ingredient.
Where it is used
Found in creams, lotions and cleansing products.
Limits of interpretation
The INCI list shows which ingredients are present, not how much of each. Above 1%, ingredients are listed in descending order of weight; below 1% the order is free.
The INCI name does not reveal whether the fatty chains come from plant or other sources.
Functions
- Opacifying
- Reducing transparency or translucency of cosmetics.
EU regulation
This ingredient is not listed in the annexes of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 in the CosIng data.