Ingredient · dataset v56
Cetearyl Alcohol and fungal acne
May trigger · Limited evidence
Why it's a potential trigger
A blend of the two alcohols above, inheriting the same open question.
Blend of cetyl and stearyl; inherits the same open question.
Evidence strength
Limited evidence (1/3)
Function
Fatty alcohol
Fatty alcohols: long-chain alcohols mirroring the fatty acids the yeast eats.
Also listed as
Cetostearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Stearyl Alcohol
Checked products with this ingredient (1)
Product types: Antifungal treatments
Antifungal treatments (1)
Products without this ingredient
- Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water with Rose Water + Glycerin 13.5 fl oz
- Uriage Bariederm Cica Daily Gel-Cream
- Biossance 100% Squalane Oil 3.3 oz
- Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 8% AHA Gel Exfoliant 100 ml
- La Roche-Posay Anthelios AOX Daily Antioxidant Serum SPF 50
- La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water Face Mist 150 ml
Related fatty alcohol
- 2-Butyloctanol — May trigger · Limited evidence
- Arachidyl Alcohol — May trigger · Limited evidence
- Behenyl Alcohol — May trigger · Limited evidence
- C12-15 Alcohols — May trigger · Limited evidence
- Cetyl Alcohol — May trigger · Limited evidence
- Hexyldecanol — May trigger · Limited evidence
- Isostearyl Alcohol — May trigger · Limited evidence
- Lauryl Alcohol — May trigger · Limited evidence
Sources
- Mayser et al. 1995 — ester hydrolysis depends on alcohol moiety (Acta Derm Venereol)
- EU CosIng database — search the INCI name
Last reviewed: 2026-10-13 (dataset v56).
Questions
Does Cetearyl Alcohol 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 Cetearyl Alcohol feed Malassezia?
Yes: we flag Cetearyl Alcohol 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 blend of the two alcohols above, inheriting the same open question.
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 Cetearyl Alcohol →
Not medical advice: we screen ingredient lists for potential triggers — we never diagnose, treat, or certify products. Dataset v56.