Stearyl Alcohol
What is it?
Stearyl alcohol is a lubricant and emulsifier found in a variety of personal care, textile, and industrial products.
How can I avoid it?
Skin contact with stearyl alcohol is required for it to cause a rash. Discontinuation of exposure to products containing stearyl alcohol should result in improvement and/or resolution of your dermatitis. By law, all products made in the U.S. for topical use have the ingredients listed either on the product package or the box that contains it, so check the labeling of your skin care products for this ingredient. If there is not enough information, ask your pharmacist or retailer, or contact the company directly. At work, request a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) to help identify potential sources of exposure.
Uses:
- Skin care products/Cosmetics
- Eye make-up
- Deodorants
- Facial masks
- Hair sprays, gels, tonics, and lotions
- Moisturizers
- Foundations
- Soaps/Cleansers
- Shampoos/Conditioners
- Sunscreens and self-tanners
- Prescription topical creams
- Detergents
- Fragrances
- Liquid solar blanket in swimming pools
- Textile oils and finishes
- Wetting agents
Other names/cross reactors for stearyl alcohol:
- Cetostearyl alcohol (Lanette O, a combination of Cetyl alcohol and Stearyl alcohol)
- Cetyl alcohol
- Octadecyl alcohol
- Stenol
- 1-Octadecanol
Potential cross-reacting/co-reacting substances:
- Cetyl alcohol
