emollient · emulsifier · thickener

Behenyl Alcohol

Commonly feared, low concern·Strong evidence

A long-chain fatty alcohol used to thicken and stabilize creams and soften skin. It is a waxy emollient, not a drying solvent, and is graded low concern in published assessments.

The myth vs the evidence

Like cetyl and cetearyl alcohol, it gets caught up in "no alcohol in my skincare" fears, but a fatty alcohol is a waxy emollient, the opposite of the drying solvent alcohol people are worried about.

Products with Behenyl Alcohol

100
Beauty of Joseon
Relief Sun Rice + Probiotics
100
Krave Beauty
Oat So Simple Water Cream
100
Illiyoon
Ceramide Ato Concentrate Cream
100
Purito
Daily Soft Touch Sunscreen
97
Numbuzin
No.5 Vitamin Concentrated Serum
88
Olay
Niacinamide + Peptide 24 Hydrating Cream
82
Dr.Jart
Ceramidin Cream
81
Vichy
Aqualia Thermal Rich Cream
78
Secret
Invisible Solid Powder Fresh
52
Neutrogena
Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen SPF 50

References

CIR Final Report on long-chain fatty alcohols ↗

Cosmetic information for general education, not medical advice. A verdict is a reading of the published evidence, never a guarantee for your skin: any ingredient can irritate someone, so patch test new products and see a professional if you react. Concern is graded on cited evidence, never on hazard-score lists. See how we score.