Cetyl Esters
AKA: Cetyl wax esters, Spermaceti wax substitute, Cetyl palmitate
Synthetic
Emollient
Skin Conditioner
Clean
The complex reaction product of blended acids and blended alcohols which simulates the composition of natural spermaceti. It consists primarily of myristyl, cetyl and palmityl esters of myristic and palmitic acids
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.
Locks In Moisture
Traditional Use
Developed in the early 20th century as a mixture of synthetic esters derived from cetyl alcohol and various fatty acids. Used as thickening agents and emollients in modern cosmetics with no traditional historical use.
EWG
1
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
ewg-1
medical-approval
pregnancy-nursing-safe
all-shades-safe
Concentration Guide
Industry max
Industry typically uses up to 36.5% in leave-on products (1 products reported). Source: CIR Safety Assessment (CIR Seq 889).
Regulatory Agencies
Skin Types
●all-skin-types, gentle
Best For
Dryness
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewed1 paper →
⚖️Regulatory1 listing →
🛡️Safety-assessed3 reviews →
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
Verified Jun 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR