CETYL ESTERS
Cetyl Esters are a synthetic wax made from a blend of esters between saturated fatty acids and fatty alcohols. Rather than one single substance, they mainly combine components with carbon chains from 14 to 18.
CETYL ESTERS: what it is
Cetyl Esters are a synthetic wax made from a blend of esters between saturated fatty acids and fatty alcohols. Rather than one single substance, they mainly combine components with carbon chains from 14 to 18.
The blend was developed to mimic the composition of natural spermaceti. The name does not mean that a product contains whale oil: it describes a manufactured blend of fatty esters, also called synthetic spermaceti wax.
CETYL ESTERS: what it does in cosmetics
In cosmetics, Cetyl Esters work as an emollient and skin-conditioning ingredient. In everyday terms, they help a product leave a soft-feeling film and reduce the rough feel a formula can have as it spreads.
That effect concerns texture and application comfort, not treatment for a skin condition. Seeing CETYL ESTERS on a label can therefore point to the product's feel and finish, rather than a promise to treat acne, dark spots, or wrinkles.
Products containing this ingredient
See which products include it and the name used in each composition.
Liss frizz control mask
