What it is
In the register’s words: “The complex reaction product of blended acids and blended alcohols which simulates the composition of natural spermaceti. It consists primarily of myristyl, cetyl and palmityl esters of myristic and palmitic acids.”
- EU register name (INCI)
- CETYL ESTERS
What the register lists it for
These are the uses the European Commission’s CosIng register lists for Cetyl Esters 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.”
- Skin conditioning
-
The register’s broad role for ingredients that keep skin in good condition. On a hair label it often sits beside a hair role, or marks a plant oil or extract.
Register definition: “Maintaining the skin in good condition.”
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.
- Rinse-out conditioners 2 labels First five names: 1 of 2 Rinse-out conditioners without it
- Deep conditioners 2 labels First five names: 1 of 2 Deep conditioners without it
- Leave-in conditioners 1 label First five names: 1 of 1 Leave-in conditioners without it
Every label, product by product (5)
- OLAPLEX No.5 Bond Maintenance Strengthening Conditioner Rinse-out conditioner 12th of 66 names
- DevaCurl One Condition Original Rinse-out conditioner 5th of 22 names
- As I Am Hydration Elation Intensive Conditioner Deep conditioner 4th of 29 names
- Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask Deep conditioner · listed as Cetyl Esters* 28th of 40 names
- DevaCurl Leave-In Decadence Leave-in conditioner 2nd of 39 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.