Tag: Fatty alcohol

While the term 'alcohol' can often trigger skincare alarms, the science behind chemical classifications is more nuanced. Panthenol is indeed a form of alcohol from a chemical standpoint, but it is not a 'drying alcohol' and offers significant moisturizing and reparative benefits for skin and hair.

Despite common misconceptions, glycerin is not a fatty alcohol; it is a polyol, or sugar alcohol. While both are used in skincare, they have fundamentally different chemical structures and functions, which is crucial for consumers to understand. This distinction helps in appreciating why each ingredient is chosen for specific roles in cosmetic formulations.

With the global market for fatty alcohol production estimated to reach over $10 billion by 2023, the demand for these versatile compounds is higher than ever. Fatty alcohols are key ingredients in everything from cosmetics and detergents to industrial lubricants, driving innovation in their manufacturing processes.

A common misconception about skincare is that all 'alcohols' are the same; however, the reality is far from it. So, can fatty alcohol get you drunk? The short answer is no, because its chemical structure is fundamentally different from the ethanol found in alcoholic beverages.

Derived primarily from sources like coconut and palm, cetearyl alcohol can also be made using corn or soy, though its function as a soothing fatty alcohol is completely different from the harsh, drying alcohols many assume.