Stearyl Alcohol

1Identification

Name

Stearyl Alcohol

IUPAC name

octadecan-1-ol

CAS number

112-92-5 (also reported: 68911-61-5, 26762-44-7)

EC number

204-017-6

Molecular formula

C18H38O

Molecular weight

270.5 g/mol

InChIKey

GLDOVTGHNKAZLK-UHFFFAOYSA-N

SMILES

CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCO

PubChem CID

8221

Synonyms

Stearyl alcohol, Octadecan-1-ol, 1-Hydroxyoctadecane, Octadecyl alcohol, n-Octadecanol, Stearol, Stearic alcohol, n-Octadecyl alcohol, Atalco S, n-1-Octadecanol, Steraffine, Alfol 18, Sipol S, Alcohol stearylicus

Recommended uses

• CIR ingredient: Stearyl Alcohol
  Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
• Used as a substitute for cetyl alcohol in pharmaceutical dispensing; in cosmetic creams and perfumery; in textile oils and finishes; as an antifoam agent; and in lubricants, resins, and surface active agents; Synthetic stearyl alcohol has been approved as a direct and indirect food additive ingredient and as an ingredient in over-the-counter drugs; [HSDB]
  Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
• Textiles (Printing, Dyeing, or Finishing) [Category: Industry]
  Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
• Defoamer Intermediate Emulsifier Not Known or Reasonably Ascertainable Stabilizing agent Sealant (barrier) Cleaning agent Fuel Antioxidant Surfactant (surface active agent) Lubricating agent Other Binder Solvent
  EPA Chemical Data Reporting (CDR)
• Cleaning agent Not Known or Reasonably Ascertainable Emulsifier Softener and conditioner Solvent Other Binder Lubricating agent Surfactant (surface active agent) Fuel
  EPA Chemical Data Reporting (CDR)

Use categories: EPA Safer Chemical Functional Use Classes -> Emollients · Safer Chemical Classes -> Green circle - The chemical has been verified to be of low concern · Cosmetics -> Foam boosting; Refatting; Opacifying; Emollient; Viscosity controlling; Emulsion stabilizing

Description

• Octadecan-1-ol is a long-chain primary fatty alcohol consisting of a hydroxy function at C-1 of an unbranched saturated chain of 18 carbon atoms. It has a role as a plant metabolite, a human metabolite and an algal metabolite. It is an octadecanol and a long-chain primary fatty alcohol.
  ChEBI
• stearyl alcohol has been reported in Camellia sinensis, Apis, and other organisms with data available.
  LOTUS - the natural products occurrence database
• See also: Lipotox (FDA NDC: 43857-0636) (component of); Chemstat (FDA NDC: 44911-0556) (component of); Moringa oleifera leaf oil (part of) ... View More ...
  PubChem

2Hazard identification

Signal word

Warning

Pictograms

GHS07, GHS09

Classification source

European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)

Precautionary statements

NFPA 704 rating

• 0 - Materials that, under emergency conditions, would offer no hazard beyond that of ordinary combustible materials.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
• 0 - Materials that will not burn under typical fire conditions, including intrinsically noncombustible materials such as concrete, stone, and sand.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
• 0 - Materials that in themselves are normally stable, even under fire conditions.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

Fire hazards

• Combustible.
  ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)

Hazards summary

• Higher alcohols are not highly toxic in the industrial setting; Can cause liver injury, somnolence, and respiratory depression in experimental animals; [HSDB] Causes somnolence in lethal-dose feeding studies of rats; [RTECS] No listed effects of short-term or long-term exposure; Health effects of exposure to the substance have been investigated extensively but none have been found. [ICSC] An irritant; [MSDSonline]
  Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases

3Composition / information on ingredients

This page describes the pure substance. Commercial products may be solutions or mixtures. Check Section 3 of your supplier's SDS for concentrations and other ingredients.

4First-aid measures

Not available in the public sources we compile. Check Section 4 of the supplier's SDS.

5Fire-fighting measures

• To fight fire use foam, carbon dioxide, dry chemical.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

6Accidental release measures

Spill cleanup

• Sweep spilled substance into covered containers. Carefully collect remainder. Then store and dispose of according to local regulations.
  ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
• Sweep spilled substance into containers. Carefully collect remainder, then remove to safe place.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

7Handling and storage

• Separated from strong oxidants and strong acids.
  ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)

8Exposure controls / personal protection

No occupational exposure limits found in our sources.

9Physical and chemical properties

10Stability and reactivity

Incompatible materials and hazardous reactions

• Reacts with strong acids and strong oxidants.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

11Toxicological information

Not available in the public sources we compile. Check Section 11 of the supplier's SDS.

12Ecological information

Environmental fate

• 1-Octadecanol's production and use as a substitute for 1-hexadecanol in pharmaceutical dispensing, in cosmetic creams, for emulsions, textile oils and finishes, as an antifoam agent, lubricant, chemical raw material, in perfumery, cosmetics, as an intermediate, surface active agent, and in resins may result in its release to the environment through various waste streams. If released to air, a vapor pressure of 2.7X10-6 mm Hg at 25 °C indicates 1-octadecanol will exist in both the vapor and particulate phases in the atmosphere. Vapor-phase 1-octadecanol will be degraded in the atmosphere by reaction with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals;
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

13Disposal considerations

• SRP: The most favorable course of action is to use an alternative chemical product with less inherent propensity for occupational exposure or environmental contamination. Recycle any unused portion of the material for its approved use or return it to the manufacturer or supplier. Ultimate disposal of the chemical must consider: the material's impact on air quality; potential migration in soil or water; effects on animal, aquatic, and plant life; and conformance with environmental and public health regulations.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

14Transport information

Not available in the public sources we compile. Check Section 14 of the supplier's SDS.

How DOT hazard classes work →

15Regulatory information

• Drug products containing certain active ingredients offered over-the-counter (OTC) for certain uses. A number of active ingredients have been present in OTC drug products for various uses, as described below. However, based on evidence currently available, there are inadequate data to establish general recognition of the safety and effectiveness of these ingredients for the specified uses: Stearyl alcohol is included in skin protectant drug products.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

Overview of SDS regulations (OSHA HazCom, WHMIS, REACH/CLP) →

16Other information

Compiled from PubChem CID 8221 and the sources it aggregates (attributed inline). Data retrieved 2026-10-12. This summary describes the pure substance and is not a supplier SDS.