Behenyl Alcohol
Also known as 1-Docosanol, Docosanol, n-Docosanol, C22 fatty alcohol, Docosan-1-ol
“CIR Expert Panel says: safe as used in cosmetics.”
Behenyl alcohol (1-docosanol, C22 straight-chain saturated fatty alcohol, CAS 661-19-8) is a waxy emollient and co-emulsifier derived from natural fats or synthetic reduction of behenic acid. The 1988 CIR Expert Panel group assessment (JACT 7(3):359-413) found behenyl alcohol safe as used in cosmetics, a finding confirmed without reopening in December 2005. The ingredient is the same molecule used pharmaceutically as 10% docosanol cream (FDA-approved OTC antiviral for herpes labialis), where clinical trials document a benign dermal safety profile at concentrations far exceeding typical cosmetic use levels. No specific sensitization reports for behenyl alcohol were identified in the PubMed literature; class-level contact dermatitis data for C16-C18 fatty alcohols (Hannuksela 1988, Nishioka et al. 2022) are not directly attributable to C22, and sensitization in those cases was primarily associated with impurities rather than the pure fatty alcohol.
Emollient, viscosity builder, and co-emulsifier in creams, conditioners, and lotions
CIR Expert Panel found safe as used in cosmetics:359-413, 1988; confirmed 12/05)
FDA-approved as 10% topical OTC antiviral (docosanol cream) for herpes labialis, with clinical trial safety data at high concentrations (Sacks et al. 2001, PMID 11464183)
Long history of safe cosmetic and pharmaceutical use; practically non-toxic on dermal and oral exposure
Class-level data for C16-C18 fatty alcohols documents rare allergic contact dermatitis in sensitised individuals, particularly those with stasis eczema or heavy topical-medicament exposure; direct evidence for C22 behenyl alcohol as a sensitiser is absent from the published literature
Sensitisation to commercial-grade fatty alcohols may be driven by impurities (odd-chain, branched, or unsaturated alcohols) rather than the pure primary alcohol, consistent with the CIR 1988 group assessment
CIR Quick Reference Table (12/2017, revised 07/2018) — Behenyl Alcohol row: Finding=S, Citation=JACT 7(3):359-413, 1988 confirmed 12/05
“Behenyl Alcohol | S | [no detail column entry] | JACT 7(3):359-413, 1988 confirmed 12/05”— QRT-122017revised072018.pdf, p. 11