Product: Ceto Stearyl Alcohol (CSA)

Rchem Ceto Stearyl Alcohol (CSA) is a high-purity, fatty alcohol blend, presented as white waxy pellets, flakes, or pastilles. It is a mixture of predominantly cetyl alcohol (C16, approx. 30-50%) and stearyl alcohol (C18, approx. 50-70%), derived from natural vegetable oils (coconut, palm, or palm kernel oil). Renowned for its exceptional emollient, thickening, stabilizing, and co-emulsifying properties, it is a cornerstone ingredient in the cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and personal care industries for producing stable, elegant creams, lotions, conditioners, and ointments.

Categories: Emulifiers, Wax Emuslifying

Category: powder

Description

Rchem is a leading supplier of premium-quality Ceto Stearyl Alcohol in Pakistan, providing a reliable and multifunctional fatty alcohol for high-performance personal care formulations. Our product is valued for its ability to significantly improve the texture, consistency, and stability of emulsions. It functions as a non-ionic co-emulsifier, thickening agent, and emulsion stabilizer, producing rich, creamy formulations with excellent skin feel. Trusted by manufacturers across Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad, our CSA ensures your creams, lotions, conditioners, and ointments deliver superior body, stability, and a luxurious, velvety after-feel. Rchem is your trusted partner for high-quality fatty alcohol solutions.

Key Features & Benefits:

Excellent Emulsion Stabilizer: Strengthens the interfacial film around dispersed droplets, preventing coalescence and separation, resulting in long-term emulsion stability. Superior Thickening & Viscosity Builder: Imparts body, richness, and desired rheology to creams, lotions, and conditioners, transforming thin liquids into luxurious, spreadable formulations. Effective Co-Emulsifier: Works synergistically with primary emulsifiers (e.g., Glyceryl Stearate, Ceteareth-20, Polysorbates) to enhance emulsion formation and stability. Imparts Smooth, Velvety Skin Feel: Provides a non-greasy, soft, and silky after-feel that improves the sensory profile of finished products. Opacifying Agent: Imparts a pearlescent or creamy white opacity to clear or translucent formulations, enhancing visual appeal. Excellent Hair Conditioning: Adds softness, manageability, and anti-static properties to conditioners and hair masks without weighing hair down. Good Compatibility: Compatible with a wide range of cosmetic ingredients including anionic, cationic, amphoteric, and non-ionic surfactants and emulsifiers. Improves Spreadability: Enhances the glide-on application of creams, lotions, and ointments.

Technical Specifications Table:

Property

Detail

Apperance

White waxy pellets, flakes, or pastilles

Scent

Faint, characteristic mild fatty odor

Solubility

Insoluble in water; soluble in oils, alcohols, and organic solvents (when heated)

Uses

Emulsion stabilizer, thickener, co-emulsifier, opacifier, emollient, hair conditioner

pH

Max. 1.0 mg KOH/g

Charge

Non-ionic

Used In

Creams, lotions, sunscreens, hair conditioners, hair masks, ointments, lip balms, shaving creams

Usage Rate

1.0% – 10.0% (Up to 15.0%+ in solid sticks or balms)

Product Origin

Derived from Vegetable Oils (Coconut, Palm, Palm Kernel)

PALM DERIVATIVES STATUS

Typically Palm or Palm Kernel-based (Palm-Free alternatives available upon request)*

VEGAN SUITABLE

Yes

Chemical Formulae

CH₃(CH₂)₁₄CH₂OH (Cetyl) + CH₃(CH₂)₁₆CH₂OH (Stearyl)

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is the difference between Ceto Stearyl Alcohol (CSA) and Cetyl Alcohol or Stearyl Alcohol alone?

Property Cetyl Alcohol (C16) Ceto Stearyl Alcohol (C16/C18 blend) Stearyl Alcohol (C18) Melting Point ~49°C (120°F) ~50-55°C (122-131°F) ~58°C (136°F) Skin Feel Lighter, less waxy Balanced, smooth, velvety Richer, more substantive Viscosity Contribution Moderate Moderate-High Higher Crystallization Smaller crystals Balanced Larger crystals Ceto Stearyl Alcohol offers the best balance of properties, providing a smooth, velvety skin feel with good thickening and stabilizing performance, making it the most widely used fatty alcohol in cosmetics.

No, not as a primary emulsifier. Ceto Stearyl Alcohol is a co-emulsifier and emulsion stabilizer, not a primary emulsifier. It cannot produce a stable emulsion on its own because it lacks the hydrophilic head group necessary to significantly reduce interfacial tension. It must be used in combination with a primary emulsifier (e.g., Glyceryl Stearate, Ceteareth-20, Polysorbate 60, or a self-emulsifying base). However, it is an essential co-emulsifier in most O/W creams and lotions.

Can Ceto Stearyl Alcohol be used alone as an emulsifier?

In hair conditioners, Ceto Stearyl Alcohol serves multiple critical functions: (1) Thickening – provides the rich, creamy consistency expected of a conditioner; (2) Emulsion stabilization – stabilizes the conditioner base; (3) Co-emulsifier – helps disperse cationic surfactants (e.g., Behentrimonium Chloride, Cetrimonium Chloride) which are the primary conditioning agents; (4) Lubrication – provides slip and detangling properties; (5) Opacifier – gives the characteristic pearly-white appearance. It is widely considered an essential ingredient in almost all rinse-off hair conditioners.

What is the function of Ceto Stearyl Alcohol in a hair conditioner?

Ceto Stearyl Alcohol is generally considered to have a low comedogenic rating (typically 0-1 on a scale of 0-5, meaning very low potential to clog pores). However, there is some debate. Some individuals with highly acne-prone skin report sensitivity to fatty alcohols. The comedogenicity depends on: (1) Purity of the CSA; (2) Concentration in the final product; (3) Individual skin chemistry. For most users, CSA is non-comedogenic and non-irritating. For extremely sensitive/acne-prone skin, patch testing is recommended.

Is Ceto Stearyl Alcohol safe for use on oily or acne-prone skin? Can it clog pores?

Handling: Ceto Stearyl Alcohol is a waxy solid at room temperature. Use appropriate PPE including a dust mask, gloves, and safety goggles. Avoid inhalation of dust. Formulation (Hot Process): (1) Add CSA to the oil phase along with other lipophilic ingredients (emulsifiers, oils, emollients); (2) Heat both oil and water phases to 70-75°C (158-167°F) ; (3) Ensure CSA is fully melted; (4) Proceed with emulsification; (5) Cool slowly with stirring to room temperature. If CSA is not fully melted, grainy or crystalline textures may result. Troubleshooting: If the final product feels grainy or waxy, ensure the CSA was fully melted during processing and that cooling was slow with consistent stirring to prevent large crystal formation. Storage: Store in a cool, dry place in tightly sealed original containers. Protect from moisture, extreme heat (below 40°C / 104°F), and direct sunlight. Shelf life is typically 24-36 months under proper storage. Always refer to the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for comprehensive handling, safety, and first-aid information.

Product: Ceto Stearyl Alcohol (CSA)