CETEARYL ISONONANOATE
Cetearyl Isononanoate is a family of esters made by joining isononanoic acid to C16 and C18 fatty chains. It is an oily raw material, not a named plant oil on the label, so the ingredient name does not reveal the source of the chains used in a particular product.
CETEARYL ISONONANOATE: what it is
Cetearyl Isononanoate is a family of esters made by joining isononanoic acid to C16 and C18 fatty chains. It is an oily raw material, not a named plant oil on the label, so the ingredient name does not reveal the source of the chains used in a particular product.
The "cetearyl" part points to those long fatty chains, while "isononanoate" identifies the attached acid portion. This distinguishes it from cetearyl alcohol: the names are similar, but here the chains are present as an ester, a structure used in the oil phase of skin and hair products.
CETEARYL ISONONANOATE: what it does in cosmetics
In skin products, Cetearyl Isononanoate works as an emollient. In everyday terms, it helps the oily portion of a formula spread and can contribute to a softer, less rough feel after application. In hair products, its conditioning role relates to hair feeling smoother to the touch and easier to distribute product through.
One experiment used the compound as a carbon source for Staphylococcus epidermidis; fermentation metabolites were assessed in mouse fibroblasts and mouse skin. That design did not test the isolated ingredient in an ordinary finished cosmetic on people, so it does not show that a cream containing Cetearyl Isononanoate increases collagen or treats signs of ageing.
CETEARYL ISONONANOATE: conditions and care
Clinical reports have attributed contact dermatitis to Cetearyl Isononanoate. They do not measure how often this occurs or establish a general restriction; anyone who has reacted to a product containing it should avoid further exposure and seek professional advice.
Products containing this ingredient
See which products include it and the name used in each composition.
