Ingredient glossary / Emollient
Stearyl alcohol
On the label: Stearyl Alcohol · Emollient
What it is
A fatty alcohol used as a thickener and emollient; the other half of cetearyl alcohol.
Emollients: Emollients fill the gaps between skin cells and leave the surface smooth and soft; oils, butters and esters.
Wikidata: Chemical compound. Q632384 →
In the research
38 PubMed papers mention it with skin, cosmetics or hair; the three most recent:
- Effect of Blending Long-Chain Fatty Alcohols on Oleogel Hardness and Crystal Structure: Influence of Arachidyl Alcohol · Journal of oleo science, 2026
- Dupilumab Facial Redness Due to Allergic Contact Dermatitis and Malassezia Hypersensitivity: A Case Report · Contact dermatitis, 2026
- Rational QbD-based Assessment of Formulation Ingredients' Impact on Sustainable Sunscreen Physical Stability · AAPS PharmSciTech, 2025
A paper is a paper, not a verdict: titles are listed so you can read them, and a study on cells or mice says little about a cream on a face.
Products whose label lists it
2 on the siteMatched from the ingredient list the supplier printed; the position in the list (first or thirtieth) is on each product page.
Made in the USA
Made in the USAOther emollients
Dew & Balm describes ingredients from the public record and makes no claim about what a product will do for you. Statements about dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the FDA. If a product causes a reaction, stop using it; a reaction that spreads or affects breathing is a call to a doctor or 911.