Isostearyl Alcohol
AKA “16-Methylheptadecan-1-ol, 16-methylheptadecanol, 1-Heptadecanol, Isostearyl Alcohol EX, RefChem:1087832”
Synthetic
Ingredient Facts
Isostearyl alcohol
AKA: 16-Methylheptadecan-1-ol, 16-methylheptadecanol, 1-Heptadecanol, Isostearyl Alcohol EX, RefChem:1087832
Synthetic · Emollient · EWG: 4
Plant-Derived
Emollient
Skin Conditioner
Plant Oil
Synthetic
Clean
A lightweight emollient that softens and smooths skin while helping maintain the product's texture and consistency.
Formula
C18H38O
Mol. Weight
270.50
CAS #
27458-93-1
Form
Liquid
See origin →
Functions
Emollient
Fills in the tiny cracks between skin cells to make everything feel smooth and soft. The "silky finish" ingredient.
Viscosity Controlling
Locks In Moisture
Traditional Use
Developed as a synthetic fatty alcohol derived from isostearic acid in the mid-20th century. Created to provide thickening, emulsifying, and conditioning properties in cosmetic formulations.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
Dryness
Melanin-Rich Skin
Suitable
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
Incidence of human skin sensitization to isostearyl alcohol in two separate groups of panelists.
Aust LB, Maibach HI
Contact dermatitis, 1980
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Isostearyl Alcohol, Myristyl Alcohol, and Behenyl Alcohol
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Isostearyl Alcohol
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Isostearyl Alcohol
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Verified Feb 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR