Stearyl Alcohol Good Texture enhancer No known benefits Stearyl Alcohol at a glance Fatty alcohol used as a moisturiser and cleansing agent Ruled safe as a food additive and as used in cosmetics Is a white, waxy substance in its raw form Also known as 1-octadecanol Stearyl Alcohol description Stearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol used as an emollient and to help keep other ingredients intact in a formulation. It is not to be confused with the drying, irritating types of alcohol such as SD alcohol or denatured alcohol. This versatile ingredient also has cleansing and foam-boosting properties and isn’t considered drying on skin. Stearyl alcohol is also known as 1-octadecanol, and in its raw form is a white, waxy substance. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has ruled stearyl alcohol safe as a food additive, and the independent Cosmetic Ingredient Review panel deems it safe as used in cosmetics. Related ingredients: Stearic Acid Fatty Alcohol