Ingredient · dataset v56
Stearyl Alcohol and fungal acne
May trigger · Limited evidence
Why it's a potential trigger
An 18-carbon alcohol mirroring stearic acid; plausible food, unproven meal.
18-carbon fatty alcohol; same open question as cetyl.
Evidence strength
Limited evidence (1/3)
Function
Fatty alcohol
Fatty alcohols: long-chain alcohols mirroring the fatty acids the yeast eats.
Also listed as
Octadecan-1-ol, Octadecyl Alcohol, 1-Octadecanol
Products without this ingredient
- The Ordinary Glucoside Foaming Cleanser
- Morphe Bake & Set Translucent Setting Powder Jumbo
- Trace Minerals Bentonite Clay Detox Powder 16 oz
- Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water All-in-1 13.5 fl oz
- Purito Oat In Calming Gel Cream
- Biossance 100% Squalane Oil 3.3 oz
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
- Cetearyl Alcohol — May trigger · Limited evidence
- Cetyl Alcohol — May trigger · Limited evidence
- Hexyldecanol — May trigger · Limited evidence
- Isostearyl 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 Stearyl 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 Stearyl Alcohol feed Malassezia?
Yes: we flag Stearyl 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: An 18-carbon alcohol mirroring stearic acid; plausible food, unproven meal.
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 Stearyl Alcohol →
Not medical advice: we screen ingredient lists for potential triggers — we never diagnose, treat, or certify products. Dataset v56.