Cetyl alcohol

Cetyl alcohol

Formula	CAS
C16H34O	36653-82-4

Background
Cetyl alcohol is a mixture of higher aliphatic alcohols, mainly cetyl alcohol (commercial preparations may contain 60% (remainder 30% stearylalcohol) to 99% pure cetylalcohol), and is miscible with most alcohols, glycols, esters, ketones, cosmetic oils and aromatics. Immiscible with water. For this reason it is used as an emulsifier and emollient in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. Patients with a contact allergy to cetylalcohol are always allergic to stearylalcohol and almost always to myristylalcohol and often to woolalcohols (cetylalcohol can be found in the woolalcoholfraction of woolfat).

Synonyms
Cetyl alcohol
1-Hexadecanol
Cetanol
Ethal
Ethol
Hexadecylalcohol
Palmityl alcohol

Uses
Cosmetics
Pharmaceuticals
Topical medications

Cross-Reactions

Unusual Reactions
Contact urticaria

Back to list of contact allergens

Referenties

1.	van Ketel WG. Allergy to cetylalcohol. Contact Dermatitis 1984;11(2):125-126.
2.	Degreef H, Dooms-Goossens A. Patch testing with silver sulfadiazine cream. Contact Dermatitis 1985;12(1):33-37.
3.	Pasche-Koo F, Piletta PA, Hunziker N, Hauser C. High sensitization rate to emulsifiers in patients with chronic leg ulcers. Contact Dermatitis 1994;31(4):226-228.

Author(s):
Allergology: background information on allergens.

31-12-2015 (JRM) - www.skin-diseases.eu