Cetearyl Alcohol & Polysorbate 60 — Frequently Asked Questions

Because neither makes a robust cream alone. Polysorbate 60 is the true emulsifier, sitting at the oil-water interface and lowering the surface tension that would drive the phases apart. Cetearyl alcohol is the consistency factor, packing alongside it to stiffen that interfacial film and thicken the water phase so droplets cannot move and coalesce. Pre-blending removes the need to balance them in every formulation.

Three to eight percent, depending on the oil phase and the viscosity wanted. Higher additions give a thicker, richer cream; lower additions a fluid lotion. It is added to the oil phase and both phases are heated to around 70 degrees Celsius before combining, so the wax is fully melted and can distribute at the interface as the emulsion forms.

Yes. It is non-ionic, so it does not complex with cationic conditioning agents or anionic surfactants the way a charged emulsifier would, and it tolerates a wide pH range. That is one of the main reasons it is specified in formulations that combine ingredients of differing charge.

This grade builds more viscosity of its own, because cetearyl alcohol is a strong consistency factor, so it gives a thicker, richer, slightly waxier result. The glyceryl stearate and PEG-100 stearate system is lighter and silkier and is preferred for fluid lotions. Many formulators keep both and choose by the target texture.