Cetearyl Candelillate

Cetearyl Candelillate 1
Cetearyl Candelillate 2
Cetearyl Candelillate 3
AKA: Cetearyl Candelilla Wax Ester
Plant-Derived
Emollient
Skin Conditioner
Barrier Support
Not Clean
Fatty acids, candelilla wax, C16-18 alkyl ester
CAS #
246538-67-0
Form
Wax
Functions
Skin Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Emollient
Fills in the tiny cracks between skin cells to make everything feel smooth and soft. The "silky finish" ingredient.
Skin Protecting
Helps rebuild and strengthen your skin barrier — the invisible shield that keeps moisture in and irritants out. Essential after over-exfoliating or harsh weather.
Nourishes & Protects
Locks In Moisture
Traditional Use
A synthetic ester combining cetyl and stearyl alcohols with candelilla wax fatty acids. Created as a natural-origin alternative emollient and texture modifier in cosmetics.
EWG
4
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Regulatory Status
USA✔ permitted
EU⚠ restricted
JAPAN⚠ restricted
CANADA⚠ restricted
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
Dryness
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewednone on file
⚖️Regulatory1 listing →
🛡️Safety-assessed2 reviews →
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
Verified Jun 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR