Myristyl Alcohol (Ingredient Explained + Products)

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.

Some ingredients have a higher likelihood of clogging pores or triggering breakouts, especially for acne-prone skin. However, skin reactions are individual - what causes breakouts for one person may work fine for another. Patch test if you're concerned.

Can worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis

Some ingredients are known to be potential triggers for seborrheic dermatitis. However, triggers vary greatly between individuals. Keep a diary to identify your personal triggers and work with a dermatologist to develop a gentle, effective routine.

Can worsen Keratosis Pilaris

Some ingredients are known to be potential triggers for keratosis pilaris. However, triggers vary greatly between individuals. Keep a diary to identify your personal triggers and work with a dermatologist to develop a gentle, effective routine.

Can worsen Oily Skin

Some ingredients are known to potentially contribute to excess oil or shine, but they don't affect everyone the same way. Skin can be oily for many reasons, so it's always a good idea to consider your unique skin needs when choosing products.

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.

Myristyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Despite the word "alcohol", it has nothing in common with the drying kind you find in hand sanitizer.

This ingredient is a waxy solid that formulators use to thicken creams, help oil + water stay mixed, soften skin, and boost foam.

Concentration use usually lands somewhere between 0.1-3% for face products.

Allergies to this ingredient are uncommon and most reported cases from from medication creams rather than cosmetics.

Pore clogging

This ingredient does have a comedogenic rating of 2, but this doesn't mean a formula with this ingredient will clog pores. Human testing has proved that any finished product with this ingredient won't automatically make you break out; it really comes down to concentration, formula, and your skin.

Fungal acne

The Malassezia yeast feeds on fatty alcohols with a chain length above 12 carbons, and this ingredient is a C14 primary fatty alcohol. This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.

What it does

Emollient Having the quality of softening or soothing the skin.

Emulsion Stabilising Stabiliziing emulsion, making two non-mixable ingredients stable

Skin Conditioning To hydrate and soften skin

Foam Boosting To add foam, froth

Prevalence

Less common Percentage of products that contain it

0.6%

Top categories

Moisturizers

Haircare

Sunscreens

Position Predominant list placement

Top 25%

Concentration Concentrations we've seen

3% to 5%

Myristyl Alcohol

Explained

Pore clogging

Fungal acne

What it does

Prevalence

References

CosIng Data