Cetyl Behenate

AKA: Hexadecyl docosanoate, Palmityl behenate, Docosanoic acid, Hexadecyl ester, Hexadecanyl docosanoate, WE(16:0/22:0)
Synthetic
Emollient
Emulsifier
Not Clean
OriginDerived from fatty acids and cetyl alcohol, members of the long-chain ester compound family. Synthesized through esterification of cetyl alcohol with behenic acid under catalytic conditions.
Cetyl Behenate
Formula
C38H76O2
Mol. Weight
565.0
CAS #
42233-11-4
Form
Liquid
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
Dryness
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
Functions
Emollient
Fills in the tiny cracks between skin cells to make everything feel smooth and soft. The "silky finish" ingredient.
Emulsifying
Forces oil and water to stay mixed instead of separating into layers. The unsung hero holding your lotion together.
Anti-Inflammatory
Moisturizing
Boosts Collagen
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewed1 paper →
⚖️Regulatory1 listing →
🛡️Safety-assessed1 review →
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
EWG
4
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
Concentration Guide
CIR lists it as not reported to be in use.
CIR · report published 2015
Regulatory Status
USA✔ permitted
EU⚠ restricted
JAPAN⚠ restricted
CANADA⚠ restricted
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR