Cetyl Alcohol – Ingredient spotlight

The name Cetyl Alcohol sounds scary and it feels like it should never be used on your skin! However, it’s a pretty cool ingredient to have within skincare products. Cetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol that is commonly used in personal care products, due to its ability to provide a wide range of benefits for the skin. In its raw form it is a white, waxy solid that naturally comes from vegetable oils—including coconut, palm, and soy oil. It is mainly known for its emollient and thickening properties.

Secret weapon

I chose to include Cetyl Alcohol in our shaving cream for a very specific reason: it has the ability to soften and improve the texture of hair. As a matter of fact this ingredient is commonly found in many hair conditioning products due to its moisturising and softening benefits. As a result this helps to enhance the texture and appearance of hair. Using Cetyl Alcohol in our shaving cream makes the stubble so much easier to cut. For that reason it means you need less pressure and fewer passes of the razor to cut the stubble. Less pressure and less passes equals less irritation. Simple yet very very effective!

Emollient

Cetyl alcohol also acts as a very effective emollient, which means it helps to moisturise and soften the skin. This makes it an invaluable ingredient in the Pure Shave shaving cream, as it helps to prevent dryness and skin irritation during and after shaving. 

Thickening Properties

Used as a thickening agent, Cetyl Alcohol helps to give our shaving cream its creamy, luxurious consistency. This makes it easier to apply and reduces the risk of skin irritation, as it helps to ensure that the cream is evenly spread over the skin. 

Skin Barrier Protection

It helps to protect the skin’s natural barrier, which helps to keep it hydrated and healthy. This is particularly important during shaving, as the skin is at risk of dryness and irritation due to the removal of hair and exposure to the element

Non-comedogenic

Unlike some other ingredients commonly used in personal care products, cetyl alcohol is non-comedogenic, which means it won’t clog pores and cause breakouts. This makes it an ideal ingredient for people with sensitive or acne-prone skin, as it helps to keep the skin healthy and clear.

Did you know

Cetyl alcohol is not just limited to skincare and can be used for various other purposes. Some of the other uses of cetyl alcohol include:

Hair Care

As discussed above it is commonly used in hair care products, such as shampoos, conditioners, and hair styling products, due to its ability to provide moisturisation and improve the texture of hair.

Cosmetics

It is used in a wide range of cosmetics, including creams, lotions, and lipsticks, as it helps to improve the texture and stability of the products.

Pharmaceuticals

Finally it is also used in pharmaceuticals, as it helps to improve the texture and stability of creams, ointments, and other topical medications.

In conclusion

The use of Cetyl Alcohol in Pure Shave London shaving cream along with hair softening properties provides a range of benefits for the skin, including emollient, thickening, and skin barrier protection properties. Its non-comedogenic properties make it a popular choice for people with sensitive skin, and its creamy texture makes it easier to apply and reduces the risk of skin irritation during shaving.

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