- Comedogenic
- 4 / 5
- Irritancy
- 0 / 5
- Fungal acne
- Safe
- Type
- Synthetic ester
- INCI name
- Cetyl Acetate
- Also listed as
- 1-hexadecanol Acetate
Who should avoid it?
Avoid in leave-on face products if you have oily, combination or acne-prone skin. It is usually fine on the body, in rinse-off products, or on very dry skin that does not break out.
Non-comedogenic swaps
| Swap to | Rating | Fungal acne |
|---|---|---|
| Cetyl Alcohol | 2/5 | Safe |
Fungal-acne safe ingredients list
Print the pore-clogging and fungal-acne cheat sheet →
Frequently asked questions
Is Cetyl Acetate comedogenic?
Yes, it is pore-clogging. Cetyl Acetate has a comedogenic rating of 4 out of 5. An emollient ester. Do not confuse it with cetyl alcohol, which rates much lower.
Is Cetyl Acetate safe for fungal acne?
Yes. Cetyl Acetate is not a known Malassezia (fungal acne) trigger.
Does Cetyl Acetate cause acne?
It can. Ingredients rated 3–5 are frequently linked to clogged pores and breakouts in acne-prone people, especially in leave-on products.
What are other names for Cetyl Acetate?
On labels it can also appear as 1-hexadecanol Acetate.