What are the differences between the alcohols found in the Optimal Skin Care and other alcohols?
The two alcohols found in the Optimal Skin Care System are stearyl alcohol, which is found in the skin cream, and behenyl alcohol which is found in the eye cream. These alcohols are in the chemical class of fatty alcohols, whereas other alcohols such as isopropyl alcohol are in the chemical class of alcohols. These fatty alcohols are derived from the natural fats of plants such as coconut oil and palm kernel oil. Alcohols such as isopropyl alcohol can function as a solvent and are used in formulations to decrease the viscosity. Fatty alcohols such as the two found in the Optimal line, however, are used in formulations as emollients and emulsifiers which make skin smoother and prevent moisture loss. They also function to increase the viscosity of the formulation.
