Decyl Alcohol

Other names: Dodecanol, Dodecan-1-ol, Lauryl alcohol, Dodecanol

Harm score: 2 (Derivatives of natural substances)

Decyl Alcohol, also known as Dodecan-1-ol, Lauryl Alcohol or Dodecanol, is an organic compound that is an important ingredient in many products we use in everyday life. This alcohol is essentially made up of a long chain of carbon atoms, namely twelve, and is characterised by its waxy consistency and its faint but characteristic odour. It is a colourless liquid which is soluble in many organic solvents but is difficult to dissolve in water. At room temperature the substance is a liquid.

Decyl alcohol is particularly popular in the cosmetics industry, where it is used to make shampoos, soaps, creams and other body and hair care products. Its main role in these products is that it increases the skin's ability to retain moisture and improves its appearance, making the resulting products much more effective. Dodecan-1-ol is also used in the lubricant industry where it provides reduced friction between mechanical parts. In addition, this alcohol is used as an intermediate in the production of other chemical compounds. The final products can then be found in a variety of industries, including medical, construction and electrical engineering.