Cetearyl alcohol & cetyl alcohol vs ethanol image
  • Clean beauty

Cetearyl alcohol & cetyl alcohol vs ethanol

To most people the word 'alcohol' means ethanol, i.e. the clear, colourless, volatile liquid that is found in alcoholic beverages, and which is produced by the fermentation of sugars with yeast.

By Alexandra Julian

2 Minute read

To most people the word 'alcohol' means ethanol, i.e. the clear, colourless, volatile liquid that is found in alcoholic beverages, and which is produced by the fermentation of sugars with yeast.

When ethanol alcohol is used in skin and hair care products it can have a drying effect, and also acts as a solvent enabling otherwise inactive substances to cross the skin/blood barrier and enter the body.

For these two reasons Green People completely avoids the use of ethanol alcohol in its personal care products.

What is an alcohol?

In chemistry terms, the word 'alcohol' is used to describe any compound which contains an Oxygen/Hydrogen pairing (-OH group) at one end of its molecule.

Such compounds are very common in nature, and their names often end in the letters 'ol'.

Examples of such alcohols include tocopherol (Vitamin E), retinol (Vitamin A) and cholesterol.

These alcohols are often thick oils or solid fats, and many are essential for human health, e.g. the fat soluble vitamins.

Cetyl alcohol and cetearyl alcohol

Another group of alcohols found in nature are the fatty alcohols, which are derived from saturated vegetable fats such as coconut oil and palm oil.

These have the appearance of solid white fatty waxes and are beneficial to both skin and hair, containing fatty acids that are highly compatible with human cell physiology.

Examples include Cetyl alcohol and Cetearyl alcohol.

Cetyl alcohol is a gentle fatty alcohol that works as an emollient. It helps to add texture, thickens and improves skin feel. Cetearyl alcohol is another gentle fatty alcohol. It helps to stabilise cosmetic products and gives softness to the skin and hair. Both of these are used in our personal care products.

As the above examples hopefully illustrate, many different compounds make up the group known as 'alcohols', and different alcohols possess widely differing properties.

Some alcohols can have potentially irritating effects (i.e. ethanol alcohol) and must be used with caution in personal care products, whereas others (i.e. cetearyl alcohol) are beneficial and are used as gentle but effective nourishing and conditioning agents.

We only use the beneficial kind. 

A selection of our gentle skin care products

Read more about alcohol in beauty products. 

Read next...

MAKE-UP TIPS FOR SENSITIVE SKIN
Make-up

Make-up tips for sensitive skin

Worried how applying make-up will affect your sensitive skin? Here we reveal our top tips for safely applying make-up to delicate complexions.

By Lucy Thorpe

14/10/2025

9 Minute read

READ NOW
Woman rubbing her arm

The best body wash and body lotion for winter dry skin

It is common to experience dry skin on your hands, arms and legs in winter, but simple changes to your winter body skin care routine can make a big difference. Discover the best body wash and lotion to support your skin barrier through the colder months.

By Lucy Thorpe

14/10/2025

7 Minute read

READ NOW
Woman with Green People product
Lifestyle

A winter night skin care routine for glowing skin

On a cold wintery night, you’ll bundle your feet into warm slippers and snuggle up with a hot water bottle to keep yourself cosy but could you do more to keep your skin comfortable during a cold snap? Here we reveal the best night skin care routine for winter.

By Hannah Mepham

13/10/2025

5 Minute read

READ NOW
Read more articles

1,500+ Five star reviews

Read all Reviews
"One of the best companies I have ever dealt with in my 63 years on this planet!"

Jan B.

Verified Buyer

"Have fallen in love with this product range. They are lovely to use and they work!"

Carole G.

Verified Buyer

"You guys are amazing, continue to love the brand, excited to order from you again!"

Maitreya L.

Verified Buyer

"Super quick delivery, ethical packaging and beautiful products."

Nat J.

Verified Buyer

"I love every product I have tried from Green People, and the customer service has always been excellent."

Maria H.

Verified Buyer

"So glad I have found an ethical supplier with great products!"

Susan B.

Verified Buyer