Myristyl Alcohol

Also known as 1-Tetradecanol, n-Tetradecanol, C14 fatty alcohol, Tetradecyl alcohol

Myristyl alcohol (1-tetradecanol; CAS 112-72-1; C14H30O) is a C14 saturated straight-chain fatty alcohol derived from myristic acid reduction. In cosmetic formulations it functions primarily as an emollient and emulsion co-stabiliser, contributing a waxy texture and skin-feel to creams and lotions at typical use concentrations of 0.5-5%. The CIR Expert Panel assessed myristyl alcohol as part of a group evaluation covering five fatty alcohols (Cetearyl, Cetyl, Isostearyl, Myristyl, and Behenyl Alcohols; JACT 7(3):359-413, 1988; reaffirmed December 2005) and concluded it is safe as a cosmetic ingredient in the present practices of use. The assessment found that moisturizing lotions containing 0.8% myristyl alcohol were nonirritating to human skin and that moisturizers containing 0.25% myristyl alcohol were neither irritants nor sensitizers. The CIR QRT lists Finding=S with no qualifying conditions. Allergic contact dermatitis attributed directly to myristyl alcohol is rare in the published literature; a notable case report by de Groot et al. (Contact Dermatitis 1988;19(1):76-7) documented cosmetic-related contact allergy to myristyl alcohol, but class-level sensitization in the fatty alcohol family is more commonly attributed to cetyl and stearyl alcohols (typically in patients with stasis eczema or heavy topical-medicament exposure). Even those reactions may be partially driven by commercial-grade impurities rather than the pure fatty alcohol.