TEGO Alkanol 1618 MB is a fatty alcohol used in cosmetic emulsions as a consistency, stabilizing, emollient and co-emulsifying component. According to INCI it is Cetearyl Alcohol, i.e. a mixture of higher fatty alcohols with a predominant proportion of cetyl alcohol C16 and stearyl alcohol C18. Despite the term “alcohol”, it is not a drying alcohol such as ethanol, but a waxy, solid lipid raw material which behaves in cosmetics similarly to a structure-forming wax or an emollient fatty component.
The raw material is produced by processing fatty acids or vegetable oils into the corresponding fatty alcohols, most often by hydrogenation followed by purification. The result is white to slightly yellowish waxy flakes or granules which dissolve in the heated oil phase. In formulations they improve emulsion stability, viscosity, cream body, spreadability and the protective feel on the skin without making the product feel as heavy as with a high content of waxes or butters.
TEGO Alkanol 1618 MB is particularly suitable for creams, lotions, balms, conditioners and more nourishing emulsions, where it helps to create a fine, smooth and creamy texture. In the formulation it does not act as an independent primary emulsifier, but as a very useful co-emulsifier and stabilizer of the emulsion system, which supports the function of the primary emulsifier and reduces the risk of thinning or separation of the emulsion.

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Key benefits

• Increases the viscosity of creams, lotions, balms and conditioning emulsions.
• Supports emulsion stability and helps to limit separation of the oil and water phase.
• Works as a co-emulsifier in both oil-in-water and water-in-oil emulsions, depending on the primary emulsifier used.
• Improves the creamy consistency, body and smoothness of the finished product.
• Contributes to a softer, smoother and more comfortable skin feel.
• Helps to form a protective, emollient film without a pronounced greasy or sticky effect.
• Is suitable for formulations for dry, normal, sensitive and mature skin.
• In hair care products it provides smoother slip, better spreadability and a more pleasant conditioning feel.
• Is technologically useful for texture adjustment when it is necessary to thicken an emulsion without using high levels of polymeric thickeners.

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Suitable for products such as

• facial creams for day and night care,
• body lotions, body creams and nourishing emulsions,
• hand creams, foot creams and protective balms,
• balms and creamy butters with emulsion or anhydrous structure,
• conditioners, hair masks and creamy rinse-off products,
• cleansing creams and milks with a gentle emulsion texture,
• creamy masks for the face, body or hair,
• naturally oriented emulsions with vegetable oils, butters and mild emulsifiers,
• richer formulations where the goal is to increase consistency and improve stability without a pronounced waxy feel.

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Use in formulation

• Recommended dosage: 0.5–5 % depending on the product type, desired thickness and emulsifying system used.
• In light lotions it is usually used at lower levels, approximately 0.5–2 %.
• In creams and more nourishing emulsions it is often used in the range of 2–5 %.
• Incorporation: added to the oil phase and heated until completely melted.
• It is soluble in the oil phase and insoluble in water.
• It is compatible with vegetable oils, butters, waxes, esters, silicone alternatives, emulsifiers and co-emulsifiers.
• It is miscible with common emulsifying systems, for example with glyceryl stearate, cetearyl glucoside, polyglyceryl emulsifiers, sorbitan esters or waxy structure-forming components.
• In oil-in-water emulsions it helps to increase viscosity and support stability, especially in combination with a suitable primary emulsifier.
• In hair conditioners it is often combined with cationic conditioning ingredients, where it improves the texture and creaminess of the product.
• Higher levels can create a denser, more waxy or more nourishing feel, so it is advisable to adjust the dosage to the target sensorial properties of the product.
• With too low an oil phase content or in very fluid emulsions it is suitable to combine it also with a thickener for the water phase.
• Active ingredients, fragrances, essential oils and preservatives are added according to their heat resistance, usually only during the cooling phase of the emulsion.

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Safety and storage

• Intended for use in cosmetic formulations.
• Store in a well-closed container, in a dry place, away from direct sunlight and sources of heat.
• During handling avoid ingress of water, impurities or dust into the raw material container.
• During production use clean, dry and disinfected utensils, vessels and packaging.
• When heating the oil phase, ensure even dissolution of the raw material and do not overheat the formulation for an unnecessarily long time.
• The final product containing water must be preserved with an appropriate preservation system.
• Before regular use of the finished product we recommend carrying out a stability test, pH check and a tolerance test on a small area of skin.

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FAQ

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See also other emulsifiers and co-emulsifiers offered by Handymade.sk.