Catalyzes the reduction of saturated and unsaturated C16 or C18 fatty acyl-CoA to fatty alcohols (PubMed:15220348, PubMed:15220349). It plays an essential role in the production of ether lipids/plasmalogens which synthesis requires fatty alcohols (By similarity). In parallel, it is also required for wax monoesters production since fatty alcohols also constitute a substrate for their synthesis (PubMed:15220349). a long-chain fatty acyl-CoA + 2 H(+) + 2 NADPH = a long-chain primary fatty alcohol + CoA + 2 NADP(+) 2 H(+) + hexadecanoyl-CoA + 2 NADPH = CoA + hexadecan-1-ol + 2 NADP(+) 2 H(+) + 2 NADPH + octadecanoyl-CoA = CoA + 2 NADP(+) + octadecan-1-ol (9Z)-octadecenoyl-CoA + 2 H(+) + 2 NADPH = (9Z)-octadecen-1-ol + CoA + 2 NADP(+) (9Z,12Z)-octadecadienoyl-CoA + 2 H(+) + 2 NADPH = (9Z,12Z)-octadecadien-1-ol + CoA + 2 NADP(+) Optimum pH is 7.4. Interacts with PEX19; PEX19 mediates the targeting of FAR1 to peroxisomes. Widely expressed. Expressed in all tissues examined. Highest expression seen in preputial gland. Expressed in the brain where large quantities of ether lipids are synthesized. Belongs to the fatty acyl-CoA reductase family.