Ingredient · dataset v56
C14-22 Alcohols and fungal acne
May trigger · Limited evidence
Why it's a potential trigger
A fatty-alcohol range line spanning C14 to C22; every covered single (myristyl through behenyl, straight and branched) is already trigger-1, and C12-15 Alcohols is already a trigger-1 row.
Range-line call under the fatty-alcohol consistency bar.
Evidence strength
Limited evidence (1/3)
Function
Fatty ester
Fatty esters: split by the yeast’s enzymes into edible fats.
Products without this ingredient
- Fresh Monster Kids Hair Gel, Flexible Hold, No Added Fragrance 6 oz
- Lily Lolo Mineral Foundation SPF 15 In The Buff 10 g
- Molivera Organics Bentonite Clay 16 oz
- Torriden Dive-In Cleansing Water 400 ml
- Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 8% AHA Gel Exfoliant 100 ml
- Pantene Miracle Bond Repair Sulfate-Free Shampoo 13.5 oz
Related fatty ester
- Ascorbyl Palmitate — May trigger · Moderate evidence
- Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate — May trigger · Moderate evidence
- Behenyl Acrylate — May trigger · Limited evidence
- Behenyl Behenate — May trigger · Limited evidence
- Bis-Octyldodecyl Dimer Dilinoleate/Propanediol Copolymer — May trigger · Moderate evidence
- Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate — No known trigger
- Butyloctyl Salicylate — May trigger · Limited evidence
- C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate — May trigger · Limited evidence
Sources
EU CosIng database — search the INCI name
Last reviewed: 2026-10-13 (dataset v56).
Questions
Does C14-22 Alcohols trigger fungal acne?
We flag it as a potential trigger (limited evidence). That means it belongs to a class the Malassezia yeast is known to feed on — not that every product with it will cause a flare. Concentration, formulation and individual skin chemistry matter.
Does C14-22 Alcohols feed Malassezia?
Yes: we flag C14-22 Alcohols as a potential trigger (limited evidence). It belongs to a class Malassezia is known to feed on — not a claim that every product with it causes a flare. Concentration, formulation and individual skin chemistry matter.
How confident is this call?
Limited evidence: A fatty-alcohol range line spanning C14 to C22; every covered single (myristyl through behenyl, straight and branched) is already trigger-1, and C12-15 Alcohols is already a trigger-1 row.
Is this medical advice?
No. We screen ingredient lists; we never diagnose, treat, or certify products. When in doubt, ask a dermatologist.
Check a full list containing C14-22 Alcohols →
Not medical advice: we screen ingredient lists for potential triggers — we never diagnose, treat, or certify products. Dataset v56.