Hexyldodecyl/Octyldecyl Hydroxystearate

AKA: Fatty Alcohol Hydroxystearate

Plant-Derived

Emollient

Skin Conditioner

Not Clean

Hexyldodecyl/Octyldecyl Hydroxystearate is the product formed by the reaction of hexyldodecanol and Octyldecanol with Hydroxystearic Acid.

Form

Liquid

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

A synthetic ester blend developed as an emollient and skin conditioning agent in modern cosmetics. Designed to provide smooth texture and improved moisture retention in skincare formulations.

EWG

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

Regulatory Agencies

EWG CIR FDA EU COSING Health Canada

Skin Types

●all-skin-types

Best For

Dryness

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe

Yes

The paper trail

🔬Peer-reviewednone on file

⚖️Regulatory1 listing →

🛡️Safety-assessed1 review →

Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.

Verified Jun 2026

Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR