Cetyl alcohol is a fatty substance and comes in a form of a solid wax (beadsor flakes). Cetyl alcohol is manufactured from plant sources like coconut or palm oils; however, it is not your typical alcohol; it is, actually, used as a moisturizing ingredient in cosmetics products like lotions and crèmes. It is oil soluble and needs to be melted prior adding to the formulations (can be melted together with oils). When Cetyl alcohol is added to the products (crèmes, lotions, conditioners, candles...) it will, also, serve as a thickener, emollient, emulsifier and/or opacifier.