Stearyl Alcohol
INCI Stearyl Alcohol
Overview
A plant-derived fatty alcohol that helps give creams and lotions their smooth, stable texture.
What it is
Stearyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol, waxy and solid at room temperature, with none of the sharp, drying character of the alcohol in hand sanitizer.
Where it comes from and how it’s made
Fatty alcohols like this one are derived from plant oils, commonly from sources like coconut or palm.
What it does in a formulation
Contributes to the smooth, stable texture of a finished cream or lotion.
Why Lovebee uses it
Stearyl alcohol rounds out our go-to set of texture-building ingredients — dependable, familiar, and part of what makes our lotions feel cohesive rather than thin.
Good to know
- Vegan and plant-derived.
- Not related to drying alcohols like ethanol — it behaves more like a soft wax.
Common questions
- Is Stearyl Alcohol drying, like the alcohol in hand sanitizer?
No. Fatty alcohols like this one are a completely different type of ingredient from drying alcohols — they’re waxy and used for texture.
- Is Stearyl Alcohol vegan?
Yes — it’s derived from plant oil sources.