Octyldodecanol

Overview

A branched fatty alcohol that is liquid at room temperature, unlike the waxy cetyl and stearyl alcohols. It behaves as a light oil: softening skin, thinning heavy waxes and dissolving oil-soluble ingredients.

Who it's for

Lip balms, cleansing balms, sticks and rich creams, where it stops a wax-heavy base from setting too hard to spread.

Cautions

Its name causes confusion with the drying alcohol in toners, which is a different class of molecule entirely. Fatty alcohols like this one are emollients and do not have the defatting effect people associate with alcohol denat.