Skincare Ingredient
Save ingredients to your skin profile and we'll use them when you look up products — instantly flagging what's reactive, neutral, or works well for your skin.
Behenyl Alcohol
In Skincare: Is Behenyl Alcohol Safe? Comedogenic Rating & Side Effects
Safety Information
Quick Insights
At a glance
- 01
Behenyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol that does not have drying properties.
- 02
This ingredient functions as both a thickener and a moisturizing agent in cosmetic formulations.
- 03
Behenyl alcohol is also identified as 1-docosanol.
- 04
The CIR Expert Panel has determined behenyl alcohol to be safe for use in cosmetics.
Key Benefits
What Behenyl Alcohol does for your skin
Overview
Ingredient Profile
Data & Research
Scientific Facts
Common Uses
Formulation in Behenyl Alcohol
Role of Behenyl Alcohol
Active Cosmetic Mechanisms
BINDING
Ingredient BinderHolds ingredients together in solid products
SCIENTIFIC ANALYSIS
// Evidence: Binding agents provide cohesion and structural integrity in compressed or formed solid products. These include hydrophilic binders (gums, cellulose derivatives, PVP) that swell and create adhesive films, lipophilic binders (waxes, oils) that melt and solidify to cement particles, or polymeric binders. The mechanism involves particle-particle adhesion through van der Waals forces, hydrogen bonding, or mechanical interlocking.
EMULSION STABILISING
Emulsion StabilizerPrevents oil and water mixtures from separating
SCIENTIFIC ANALYSIS
// Evidence: Emulsion stabilizers maintain dispersion of immiscible phases by preventing droplet coalescence through interfacial film formation, electrostatic repulsion, steric stabilization, viscosity enhancement, or network formation. Stabilizers include polymers (carbomers, xanthan gum), proteins, and modified celluloses. The combination of primary emulsifiers with secondary stabilizers creates robust lamellar liquid crystalline structures.
SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT
Skin SoftenerSoftens and smooths skin by filling gaps between cells
SCIENTIFIC ANALYSIS
// Evidence: Emollient ingredients create smooth, soft skin by filling spaces between corneocytes in stratum corneum. These include esters (isopropyl palmitate), oils (jojoba, argan), fatty alcohols, and silicones. The mechanism involves spreading on skin surface, filling microscopic irregularities, and creating lubricious film. Effects are immediate tactile improvement and visual smoothing. Emolliency measured by spreading coefficient and skin feel assessments.
VISCOSITY CONTROLLING
Thickness RegulatorAdjusts product thickness and flow properties
SCIENTIFIC ANALYSIS
// Evidence: Viscosity controlling ingredients modify product flow characteristics through thickening or thinning. Thickeners include natural gums (xanthan, guar), synthetic polymers (carbomers, acrylates), and inorganic thickeners (silica, clays). Mechanism varies: polymer chain entanglement, hydrogen bonding networks, particle association, or swelling. Rheology modifiers create desired texture, prevent separation, control application properties, and affect sensory perception. Can produce Newtonian (constant viscosity) or non-Newtonian (shear-thinning, thixotropic) flow behavior.
Products
containing Behenyl Alcohol
One-step login · Made for your skin
Want analysis that actually fits your skin?
Sign in once — we'll remember your skin type and make every analysis more relevant for you. for free!
Joined by people who care about their skin
References
Scientific sources
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, April 2017, pages 206-216
International Journal of Toxicology, May 2014, pages 77-142
Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy, March 2010, Volume 11, pages 853-860
Journal of the American College of Toxicology, 1988, pages 1-55
CosmeticsInfo.org, ePublication
Similar Ingredients
Ingredients with similar chemical profiles and skincare properties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Behenyl Alcohol — common questions
What is Behenyl Alcohol in skincare?
Behenyl alcohol is a white, waxy solid. It’s part of a group of fatty alcohols – Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Myristyl Alcohol, and Isostearyl Alcohol – commonly used in cosmetics. Cetearyl Alcohol is a mixture primarily composed of Cetyl and Stearyl Alcohols, which are naturally occurring fatty alcohols found in small amounts in plants and animals. Myristyl Alcohol has 14 carbon atoms, while Cetyl, Stearyl, and Isostearyl Alcohols have 16-18 carbon atoms. Behenyl Alcohol is the longest chai
What does Behenyl Alcohol do? / Functions of Behenyl Alcohol?
Common functions: BINDING, EMULSION STABILISING, SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING.
What is the comedogenic rating of Behenyl Alcohol? / Is Behenyl Alcohol comedogenic?
Behenyl Alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 out of 5. A rating of 2 means it is unlikely to clog pores.
Does it clog pores?
Behenyl Alcohol is unlikely to clog pores (rating 2/5).
Is Behenyl Alcohol safe for skin?
Behenyl Alcohol has a safety rating of 1 out of 5. A rating of 1 means it is generally considered safe for most skin types. Note: CIR-reviewed fatty alcohol used as emollient/thickener; generally non-irritating and low sensitization risk, with low (but not zero) comedogenic potential in acne-prone users. The Cosmetic Ingredient
Is Behenyl Alcohol good for sensitive skin?
Behenyl Alcohol has an irritancy rating of 1 out of 5. A rating of 1 means it is generally well-tolerated.
What are the side effects of Behenyl Alcohol in skincare?
Known considerations: CIR-reviewed fatty alcohol used as emollient/thickener; generally non-irritating and low sensitization risk, with low (but not zero) comedogenic potential in acne-prone users. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel concluded it is safe for use in cosmetics. Limited safety data is available for long-term or high-concentration applications.