Very Disliked
Lauryl Alcohol
Fatty Alcohol
Fatty alcohols (like cetyl, stearyl, or cetearyl alcohol) are moisturizing ingredients that help thicken products. Despite the similar name, they're nothing like drying alcohols. Some people find them pore-clogging, but many tolerate them well.
May feed Fungal Acne
Non-fungal acne-safe products contain ingredients that can worsen fungal acne. If you suspect fungal acne, consult a dermatologist for proper diagnosis.
Explained
Lauryl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol. It is derived from palm kernel oil or coconut oil.
Fatty alcohols are not the same as drying, volatile alcohols like alcohol denatured or ethanol; they're designed to be non-sensitizing and hydrating.
Lauryl alcohol pulls triple duty:
- it works as an emollient that helps keep skin hydrated
- it is an emulsifer and emulsion stabilizer, meaning it helps oil + water stay blended
- it is a viscosity controller that helps thicken a formula + boost foam in cleansers
Because lauryl alcohol falls within the C11 - C24 carbon chain range that the Malassezia yeast (fungal acne) can metabolize, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
See all 391 products with Lauryl Alcohol
Users who like it
5%
Users who avoid it
95%
What it does
Emollient
Having the quality of softening or soothing the skin.
Emulsifying
The act of emulsion: a suspension of small globules of one liquid in a second liquid with which the first will not mix
Emulsion Stabilising
Stabiliziing emulsion, making two non-mixable ingredients stable
Prevalence
Less common
Percentage of products that contain it
0.3%
Top categories
Moisturizers
Haircare
Treatments
Position
Predominant list placement
Bottom 50%
References
CosIng Data
CosIng ID
77060
INCI Name
LAURYL ALCOHOL
EC #
 203-982-0
All Functions
Emollient, Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Viscosity Controlling
