C12-C16 Alcohols

• Derived from: Coconut
• Pronunciation: (C12-C16 al-kuh-hawls)
• Type: Naturally-derived

What Are C12-C16 Alcohols?

C12-C16 alcohols (also called lauryl-myristyl alcohol) are a mixture of fatty alcohols with 12 to 16 carbons in the alkylchain.^[1,2]

How C12-C16 Alcohols Are Made

C12-C16 alcohols are made by combining C12 and C14 alcohols. The result is a colorless liquid that has a mild odor and decomposes in high heat.^[3]

What Do C12-C16 Alcohols Do?

C12-C16 alcohols act as an emulsion stabilizer and viscosity increasing agent, allowing things to stay spreadable and creamy.^[4] It can be found in lipstick, sunscreen, moisturizer, and other products.^[5]

C12-C16 Alcohol Safety

Whole Foods has deemed the ingredient acceptable in its body care and cleaning product quality standards.^[6,7] Although ethoxylated alcohols may experience 1,4 dioxane contamination as a byproduct of the production process, the EPA considers it safe to consume water with 4 ppm of 1,4 dioxane for one day or 0.4 ppm of 1,4 dioxane for 10 days.^[8]

A study of workers exposed to 0.006–14.3 ppm 1,4-dioxane for an average of 25 years found no evidence of liver or kidney disease or any other clinical effects, and another study found no differences between observed and expected incidences of cancer among workers at a manufacturing and processing facility.^[9]

Puracy has signed certifications from our ingredient providers that show no more than 2 ppm of 1,4 dioxane in our most concentrated finished product.

Why Puracy Uses C12-C16 Alcohols

We use C12-C16 alcohols to keep ingredients from separating and to make products feel smooth. Rather than use C12-C16 alcohols in skincare, we only use these ingredients in cleaners, which are rinsed or wiped away with a cloth.

Sources

^[1] Environmental Working Group
^[2] parchem.com
^[3] Pubchem
^[4] Environmental Working Group
^[5] Environmental Working Group
^[6] Whole Foods Market
^[7] Whole Foods Market
^[8] Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
^[9] Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry