Cetyl Alcohol

Works as an emollient, emulsifier, thickener and carrying agent for other ingredients contained in a cosmetic solution.
It keeps the oil and water parts of an emulsion from separating, and gives products good spreadability.

As a thickening agent and surfactant, it helps alter the viscosity and increase the foaming capacity of non-aqueous

(i.e. lotions) and aqueous solutions (i.e. shampoo). It is often misinterpreted as an "alcohol