Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
Reviewed by Emma · Last updated 18 Aug 2026
Also known as: Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Cetyl Alcohol
Ester of cetyl alcohol and 2-ethylhexanoic acid | Emollient that helps skin retain moisture
Addresses
EWG Safety Score
What Is Cetyl Ethylhexanoate?
Cetyl ethylhexanoate is an emollient skin care ingredient that helps skin retain moisture. It’s an ester of cetyl alcohol and 2-ethylhexanoic acid, appearing as a colorless liquid as a raw material. Beyond this, it’s insoluble in water.
In addition to its skin conditioning properties, cetyl ethylhexanoate helps to thicken products and enhance texture, lending a velvety finish. It’s often used in lipsticks and rinse-off products. In cosmetics, it can be found in percentages of anywhere from 0.5 to 77.3%.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel deemed it safe for use in cosmetics when properly formulated to not irritate skin.
This ingredient may be animal- or plant-derived or synthetic. uses the synthetic or plant-derived sources.
Clinical Evidence & References
Published Research
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Engineering in Life Sciences, March 2019, pages 370-388 [https://analyticalsciencejournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/elsc.201800194]
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International Journal of Toxicology, Nov-Dec 2015, pages 61S-73S [https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1091581815617794]
From the Clinic
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