Cetyl Lactate
An ester of cetyl alcohol and lactic acid used as a lightweight, non-greasy emollient that improves spreadability in creams, lotions, and color cosmetics.
Benefits
- ✓Locks in moisture without clogging pores
- ✓Adds slip and smoothness to formulas
- ✓Reduces greasy or tacky after-feel
No known watch-fors.
In depth
What it does
An ester of cetyl alcohol and lactic acid used as a lightweight, non-greasy emollient that improves spreadability in creams, lotions, and color cosmetics. As an emollient ingredient, it is particularly valued for locks in moisture without clogging pores, adds slip and smoothness to formulas, and reduces greasy or tacky after-feel.
Skin type guide
Best suited to normal, dry, or combination skin. Lightweight emollients work for oily skin too — richer ones are best reserved for dry and very dry skin types.
How to use it
Works best as a later step in your routine, after water-based serums and treatments. Emollients help seal in earlier layers, so their placement matters — put lighter textures on first.