Isostearyl Alcohol
Fatty alcohol CG-friendly
A branched, liquid fatty alcohol that acts as a light emollient.
How our checker rates it
| Mode | Rating | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Curly Girl | Good | Fatty alcohol — softening, not drying. |
| Relaxed hair | Good | Fatty alcohol — softening, not drying. |
| Low porosity | OK | No concerns for this mode. |
| Protein-sensitive | OK | No concerns for this mode. |
Ratings assume it is listed near the top of the label. After the first preservative or fragrance (likely 1% or less) most cautions soften.
What fatty alcohol ingredients do
Long-chain alcohols that soften hair and thicken creams. Despite the name they are not drying — they behave more like waxy emollients.
Similar ingredients
Sources
Last data update:
- Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR). Ingredient safety assessments. Safety assessments for cosmetic ingredients cited on ingredient pages.
How we research and update pages: editorial policy. Spotted an error? Tell us.