Emollient ingredient
Myristyl Alcohol
Myristyl Alcohol (1-tetradecanol) is a C14 saturated fatty alcohol derived from coconut or palm kernel oil. In the fatty alcohol family (alongside cetyl C16, stearyl C18, behenyl C22), myristyl alcohol provides lighter emolliency and more fluid emulsion character than its longer-chain analogues. Used in eye creams, moisturizers, and serums as an emollient, emulsion stabilizer, and mild opacifier.
Also known as: 1-tetradecanol, C14 fatty alcohol
emollientemulsion-stabilizingopacifying
Benefits
- ✓C14 fatty alcohol with a smooth, non-greasy skin feel — provides softer, lighter emolliency than stearyl (C18) or behenyl (C22) alcohols while still contributing to emulsion stability and opacity
- ✓Works as an emulsion co-emulsifier alongside fatty acid-based emulsifiers, stabilizing the lamellar liquid crystal structure that supports slow, even active ingredient release
- ✓Common in eye cream formulas where a rich-but-light emollient texture and good stability are required
Watch for
- ⚠As a fatty alcohol, myristyl alcohol can be comedogenic for highly acne-prone individuals at higher concentrations in leave-on formulas — not a concern in the amounts typical for use as an emulsion stabilizer
Compatibility
✓ Works well with
+ Cetyl Alcohol+ Stearyl Alcohol+ Glyceryl Stearate
