Usage Of Products Containing Cetostearyl Alcohol

Cetearyl alcohol also known as cetostearyl alcohol or cetylstearyl is not alcohol in the true sense. It is an emulsifier prepared by combining fatty alcohols that are derived from vegetable oils like palm oil, coconut oil, cocoa butter or Shea butter. The process of fermentation is not used in its formation. Cetostearyl alcohol is made by combining Cetyl and Stearyl alcohols. It helps in binding the oils and water in personal care products. It has no intoxicating effects and is not consumable in the original form. It is a solid mass, a white wax like substance.

As long as the Stearyl alcohol used to produce Cetostearyl alcohol is not produced from steric acid using non-Halaal animal fat, it would be permissible to use it in cosmetic products. The source of the Cetostearyl alcohol would have to be thus determined for each product individually in order to ascertain whether it is permissible to use. Until the source is not established and doubt remains with regard to its source (which could be non-Halaal fat), we would advise that you abstain from using it. The rule of thumb would thus be; “when in doubt, abstain!”