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Essentially Natural

Cetearyl Alcohol (Thickener & Texture Enhancer) - Essentially Natural

Cetearyl Alcohol (Thickener & Texture Enhancer) - Essentially Natural

R 169.00
R 169.00

Restock in progress Stock may still be with our manufacturing team or arriving shortly. Orders usually ship within 1-3 working days.
INCI: Cetyl alcohol, Stearyl alcohol

Essentially Natural Ceto Stearyl (Cetearyl Alcohol) Pastilles / Flakes is a plant-derived fatty alcohol blend used to thicken, stabilise, and improve the feel of cosmetic formulas. It helps build viscosity in creams, lotions, conditioners, and cream cleansers, and can also be used in anhydrous balms and butter bars for structure. When melted, it becomes a clear liquid and adds a smooth, conditioning finish to skin and hair products. This ingredient is ECOCERT and COSMOS approved and supplied from a palm oil source currently undergoing RSPO certification.

This product is certified: Vegan and Beauty Without Cruelty.

Need detailed info? COAs and SDSs are available — just send us the product name and batch number, and we’ll gladly share them with you.
  • INCI: Cetearyl Alcohol
  • Composition: 30% Cetyl Alcohol, 70% Stearyl Alcohol
  • Appearance: Waxy white pastilles or flakes, clear liquid when melted
  • Function: Viscosity builder, emulsion stabiliser, surfactant booster, emollient
  • Solubility: Soluble in oil and alcohol, insoluble in water
  • Biodegradability: Readily biodegradable
  • Palm Status: Palm oil source currently undergoing RSPO certification process
  • Certification: ECOCERT and COSMOS Approved
  • Usage Rate: 1 to 25%
  • Size Options: 500g, 1kg, 5kg or 10kg

    This product is commonly used to:

  • Thicken and stabilise oil-in-water and water-in-oil emulsions
  • Add body and slip to conditioners and cream cleansers
  • Improve texture and stability in lotions and creams
  • Build structure in anhydrous balms and body butters

    This product is suitable for:

  • Formulators making creams, lotions, conditioners, and cleansing creams
  • Makers wanting a richer, more cushioned texture than cetyl alcohol alone
  • DIY crafters creating stable, ultra-natural style emulsions

    • This product is not for:

  • Water-only products with no oil phase
  • Formulas requiring a fully palm-free ingredient list
  • Anyone wanting a fully natural “raw botanical” ingredient only
  • As an Emulsion Thickener: Add to the oil phase and melt fully before emulsifying.
  • As an Anhydrous Structurant: Melt into oils and butters, then cool to set.
  • As a Conditioner Builder: Use to add body, slip, and a soft protective feel to hair formulas.
  • Processing Tip: Start at lower levels for lotions and increase gradually for thicker creams and balms.
  • For external use only
  • Avoid inhaling dust from flakes or pastilles
  • Avoid contact with eyes
  • Patch test finished products before wider use
  • Store sealed in a cool, dry place away from heat
  • Keep out of reach of children and pets

Q: Is cetearyl alcohol the same as cetyl alcohol?
A: No, it is a blend and typically feels richer and builds more structure than cetyl alcohol alone.

Q: Can it replace an emulsifier?
A: It helps stabilise and thicken, but it is usually used alongside a primary emulsifier in emulsions.

Q: Does it work in cold process soap?
A: It is more commonly used in emulsions and conditioners, but can be used in some anhydrous bars and specialty formulas.

View full details
Produced in South Africa
Natural Origin
Vegan
ECOCERT Approved
Cruelty-Free
COSMOS Approved
M
Mel (eNyamazaneni, ZA)
Miracle worker

Wow I an impressed at the difference Ceto Stearyl alcohol has made to my cream. It came out thicker than usual and the texture is creamy. It absorbs better, feels fabulous on the skin and is stable. Next batch I will increase the percentage slightly upwards for a slightly thicker cream.

T
Theresa (Cape Town, ZA)
Essentially Natural Ceto Stearyl (Cetearyl Alcohol) Pastilles

Still new to this product, but like the feel of my creams when i use. it

T
Teegan S. (Carletonville, ZA)
CETEARYL ALCOHOL

Cetearyl Alcohol has become an absolute staple in my formulations. It strikes the perfect balance between functionality and skin feel — offering reliable emulsifying power while leaving products silky and elegant. I love how it stabilizes creams and lotions without heaviness, giving a smooth, luxurious texture that feels nourishing rather than greasy. It’s gentle, versatile, and works beautifully across both rich balms and lighter emulsions. Knowing it’s naturally derived makes me even more confident in using it for clean, boutique skincare lines. A must‑have ingredient for anyone serious about creating professional, high‑quality products.

R
Robyn K. (Kempton Park, ZA)
Great emulsifier

Gives a lovely, luscious texture to my body creams.

C
Celeste D. (Pretoria, ZA)

Loving this product helps me make the best conditioner

T
T.C. (Lusaka, ZM)
Didn’t emusify well

Hello I calculated 2 % of my oils for the emulsifier usage in my formulae and it did not emulsify. Kindly assist me

Hi Thando, this ingredient is not an emulsifier. You will need to use a proper emulsifier such as one listed here: https://essentiallynatural.co.za/collections/emulsifiers

M
Mandy N. (Johannesburg, ZA)
Cetearyl alcohol

Great quality and very easy to use

T
Tracy d.P. (Vredenburg, ZA)
Cetearyl Alcohol

A great shopping experience from start to finish. The cetearyl alcohol was good quality and easy to use. It made a gorgeous addition to the face cream I was making.

T
Thando C. (Lusaka, ZM)
Cetearyl Alcohol

I loved the whole shopping experience. The Cetearyl was of good quality and really helped in my formulations

A
Anita M. (Pretoria, ZA)
Value for money

Although I must admit that I still need to learn how to optimally use this surfactant to prepare smooth oily body washes I can say that it comes in a volume that guarantees many happy applications. The delivery of all products is fast and effective, a service others can learn from.

Z
Zalobuhle N.

Thanks I always get my parcel on time will always support you

N
Nqobile M. (Johannesburg, ZA)
Excellent Service

The package was delivered timeously despite ordering a day before Black Friday. I expected some sort of delay, and as always, I love the surprise gift, it's the cherry on top. I will definitely be coming back to shop some more. I love the quality of the products so far.

S
Sandra M. (Centurion, ZA)
Excellent

I began formulating last week and this is such a wonderful emulsifier in my sugar scrub... want to see what else it can do. Totally obsessed with the feeling it leaves on the skin

J
Jackie W. (Cape Town, ZA)
service

Very good as always.

D
Dedre

Good day.

I hope you are well.
I am actuallt looking for Synthetic Spermacetti, but in the past I had to buy 20kg at a time. I am looking for an alternative to this Cetyl Esters Wax. Please advise.

Essentially Natural

Thank you very much for your question, Dedre!
While we don't stock - and haven't worked with - Cetyl Esters Wax (Synthetic Spermaceti), there are a couple of ingredients in our range that may be worth investigating as alternatives, depending on your formulation and the function you need it to perform.
The Cetearyl Alcohol you've asked about here can add body, structure and emollience to cosmetic formulations. Cetyl Alcohol, may be another useful option to consider and can contribute structure, glide and a smooth, silky feel.
We don't believe that either is a direct 1:1 replacement for Cetyl Esters Wax, however, so we wouldn't recommend simply substituting either into an existing formula without reformulating and testing the finished product.
If you'd like to let us know what you're making and the percentage of Synthetic Spermaceti/Cetyl Esters Wax in your existing formula, we're very happy to help with some general ingredient guidance and hopefully point you towards the most relevant options from our range. 🌿

C
Ceto S.(.A.P./.F.

Hi, please give me the percentage of each of cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol in your formulation of cetearyl alcohol

Essentially Natural

Hi there,

Thank you for your question :)

Our cetearyl alcohol is a blend of fatty alcohols, and based on a recent certificate of analysis, it is composed approximately of:
- Cetyl alcohol (C16): ~25–35%
- Stearyl alcohol (C18): ~65–70%

As with most cetearyl alcohols, this can vary slightly from batch to batch, but these ranges are a good general guide.

If you need any further technical details or would like the COA, we’re always happy to assist.

Warmly,
Aiden

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