What it is
In the register’s words: “Brassica Alcohol is the fatty alcohol derived from Brassica oil.”
- EU register name (INCI)
- BRASSICA ALCOHOL
- CAS number
- -
- EC number
- -
What the register lists it for
These are the uses the European Commission’s CosIng register lists for Brassica Alcohol in any cosmetic, hair roles first. They say why a maker might add it, not what it does in one formula, and they aren’t a safety rating.
- Emollient
-
Oils, butters and similar ingredients that make a surface feel soft and smooth. On hair they coat the strand; many plant oils carry this role.
Register definition: “Acting as lubricants on the skin surface providing the skin with a soft and smooth appearance.”
- Emulsion stabilizing
-
Keeps a cream’s oil and water from separating on the shelf.
Register definition: “Helping the process of emulsification and improving emulsion stability and shelf-life.”
- Viscosity controlling
-
Makes a product thicker or thinner, so a gel holds its shape or a shampoo pours. Gums, cellulose and some salts carry this role.
Register definition: “Increasing or decreasing the viscosity (thickness) of cosmetics.”
Where it sits on each label
US labels list ingredients from most to least, except that those at 1% or less may follow in any order. A name near the top is a large part of the formula. A label doesn’t mark where the 1% point falls, so further down, the order says little about how much is in it.
- Deep conditioners 2 labels First five names: 1 of 2 Deep conditioners without it
- Protein treatments 1 label First five names: 1 of 1 Protein treatments without it
Every label, product by product (3)
- Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask Deep conditioner · listed as Brassica Alcohol* 3rd of 40 names
- Bouclème Intensive Moisture Treatment Deep conditioner 31st of 50 names
- Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair! MegaStrength+ Rice Water Protein + Moisture Strengthening Treatment Protein treatment · listed as Brassica Alcohol* 3rd of 35 names
Each line runs from the first name on a label to the last; a dot is where this ingredient sits. Makers change formulas now and then; if the list on your bottle differs, go by your bottle.
Your next step
Other emollient ingredients on these labels
- Cetearyl Alcohol 80 labels
- Cetyl Alcohol 45 labels
- Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil 31 labels
- Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil 25 labels
- Stearyl Alcohol 23 labels
- Glyceryl Stearate 15 labels
- Glycol Distearate 15 labels
- Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate 15 labels
Updated · The name, numbers and uses come from the European Commission’s CosIng entry (CC BY 4.0); we write the uses in US spelling and put the hair ones first. The labels are each maker’s own. The order rule is the FDA’s Cosmetics Labeling Guide. All our sources are on the Sources page.