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The Beauty & Personal Care Brand Builder Series

Ingredient Deep Dive

Behenyl Alcohol

The Beauty & Personal Care Brand Builder Series

Ingredient Deep Dive

Behenyl Alcohol

A Rich Emollient & Emulsion Stabilizer

Behenyl Alcohol is a long-chain (C22) fatty alcohol, typically plant-derived, supplied as a waxy white solid.

In cosmetics it works as a rich emollient and, importantly, as a co-emulsifier and thickener that gives creams body, stability and a cushiony, velvety feel.

Quick Insights

Ingredient Rating:

GOOD

Type of Ingredient:

Emollient, Texture Enhancer and Emulsifier

Intended Function:

A C22 fatty alcohol used as a rich emollient, thickener and emulsion-stabilizing co-emulsifier.

Common Applications:

Used in creams and moisturizers, body lotions, balms and rich anti-aging textures.

Target Audience:

Brands wanting a plant-derived fatty alcohol to enrich, thicken and stabilize creams and balms.

Also Known As:

Behenyl Alcohol, C22 Fatty Alcohol

Benefits of Behenyl Alcohol

A dependable functional ingredient that does its job elegantly.

Emollient Softening: Softens and smooths skin with a rich, cushiony after-feel.
Thickening & Body: Raises viscosity and gives creams and balms a stable, luxurious texture.
Emulsion Stability: Helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions as a co-emulsifier / consistency factor.
Barrier Feel: Leaves a protective, conditioned feel on the skin surface.
Plant-Derived Option: Commonly sourced from vegetable oils.

How It Works

Behenyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol, not a drying (SD) alcohol — its long carbon chain makes it a lipid that softens skin and structures the oil phase. It thickens by building a network in the emulsion and stabilizes the interface between oil and water, so creams stay uniform and feel rich.

Formulating with Behenyl Alcohol

Oil-phase ingredient; melt in with the oils (typical ~1–5%). Pairs with glucoside emulsifiers (e.g. Arachidyl / C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside) to build stable, natural creams.

Safety Analysis

Behenyl Alcohol is a well-tolerated fatty alcohol widely used in leave-on and rinse-off products. Substantiate the finished product (patch / HRIPT) per MoCRA.

References

https://incidecoder.com/ingredients/behenyl-alcohol

https://cosmetics.specialchem.com/inci-ingredients/behenyl-alcohol

https://cosmeticsinfo.org/ingredient/behenyl-alcohol/

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