Cosmetic Ingredients Series : Cetyl Alcohol

Cosmetic Ingredients Series. Cetyl-alcohol. Why is it in our cosmetics? Find out in this insightful little bitesized blog article about cosmetic ingredients.

Cetyl Alcohol

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Cosmetic Ingredients Series

GHS Classification

Cetyl alcohol can be found in cosmetic and personal care products. Examples include conditioners, shampoos, creams and lotions. Cetyl alcohol is used as an emulsifier, opacifier, thickening agent and a structural stabiliser in medicines, deturgents, lipstick, toilet cleaner, lubricants, fuel additives, paint additives, solvents, plasticisers, food and cosmetics. When applied to the dermis, the compound helps to prevent moisture loss.

TOXICITY

The LD50  is the Lethal Dose in 50% of the population. It is used as the basis for calculating how safe a chemical is for subsequent use in products such as food, cosmetics, colourants and medicines. It is normally calibrated using animal testing.

LD50 Rat oral 5 mg/kg

The amount eaten needed to kill 50% of the rabbits tested was 5mg per kg of body weight.

LD50 Rat intraperitoneal 1600 mg/kg

The amount needed to kill 50% of the rats injected into the organ cavaties was 1600mg per kg of body weight.

HUMAN TOXICITY

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