Oleyl alcohol, octadecenol, or cis-9-octadecen-1-ol, is a fatty alcohol coming from inedible beef fat. It is also found in fish oil. Its chemical formula is ₁₈₃₆ or CH₃(CH₂)₇-CH=CH-(CH₂)₈OH.

It is a non-ionic, unsaturated fatty alcohol.

It has uses as a nonionic surfactant, emulsifier, emollient and thickener in skin creams, lotions and many other cosmetic products, plasticizer for softening fabrics, surfactant and hair coating in shampoos and hair conditioners, and a carrier for medications.

References

• sci-toys.com
• Household Products Database

External links

Fatty alcohols | Surfactants | Cosmetic chemicals