Lauryl alcohol is also known as dodecyl alcohol, n-dodecanol, and 1-dodecanol. These are all synonyms for the same chemical compound that is used in various applications, including as a co-emulsifier in personal care products, a chemical intermediate in the production of surfactants, and a solvent in industrial processes. Dodecyl alcohol is a colorless, oily liquid that has a faint, pleasant odor. It is considered to be a fatty alcohol and is derived from natural sources like coconut oil and palm kernel oil. Its synonyms are often used interchangeably in chemical literature, and they all refer to the same substance with the same molecular formula, C12H26O.