There is an abundance of false information available online on the use of alcohol in skincare products.

It’s understandable why some individuals think the substance isn’t all that awful for their skin. Why is alcohol then used in skincare products?

But as the research clearly shows, alcohol as a primary ingredient in any skincare product can cause a number of other problems, as well as problems for the skin’s barrier.

It’s understandable that not everyone will be on board with the idea.

But I hope that the most recent research regarding products that contain alcohol will encourage you to put down the bottle if alcohol is listed toward the top of the ingredients list.

In this article, I will delve into finding out the good and bad alcohol in cosmetics.

Which Alcohol Is Good for Cosmetic Formulas?

When people worry about alcohol being present in skincare, sunscreen, acne-prone skin products, or makeup.

It’s about a drying kind of alcohol that’s usually identified as SD alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, or even denatured alcohol on an ingredient label.

It’s easy to understand why these volatile alcohols are appealing, especially to people with oily skin.

They provide a quick-drying finish, instantly degrease skin, and make your skin feel weightless.

For instance, when alcohol denat is added to sunscreen formulations to help them feel less greasy, it can frequently be the cause of problems.

Additionally, since benzyl alcohol can be used to stabilize the scent of skincare products, it’s recommended to stay away from them.

The detrimental long-term effects of certain kinds of alcohol exceed whatever short-term advantages they may offer.

These alcohol names will undoubtedly irritate and be harsh to the skin when they appear among the first six ingredients on an ingredient label.

It is just not good for any skin type.

Reasons Alcohol Should Be Avoided When It Comes to Skincare?

Dryness, alteration of the skin’s barrier and microbiome (the latter particularly harmful to skin), and adding strain to the skin’s ability to renew, restore, and rejuvenate itself are among the effects of alcohol.

Alcohol simply makes the skin appear weaker.

Fatty Alcohols in Skincare: What Are They?

To be quite clear, the issues usually stem from the use of ethanol or isopropyl alcohol in skincare products.

However, some alcohols—referred to as fatty alcohols—are non-irritating and have a lot of skin-benefiting properties.

Ingredient labels will list cetyl, stearyl, and cetearyl alcohol as examples.

They add a nice texture and aid in the stability of other ingredients in products.

All of these are healthy ingredients for dry skin and, in moderation, are suitable for any type of skin.

It’s critical to distinguish these types of alcohol that are good for the skin from the other, more harmful types that should be avoided in skincare products.

Similarly, you may have heard that alcohol is beneficial because it facilitates the skin’s better absorption of other substances like vitamin C and retinol.

While it is true that alcohol improves ingredient absorption, it also damages the skin’s surface and the same elements that, in the long run, keep your skin healthy.

Without harming the skin’s outer layer, a problem that has more negative effects than positive ones.

There are undoubtedly more delicate ways to introduce beneficial chemicals into the skin.

Using Alcohol in Oily and Acne Skincare

It can be tempting to use alcohol-based solutions on oily skin because they instantly give a matte look, effectively degreasing the ‘oil slick.’

Using ethanol or isopropyl alcohol, in skincare products to manage oily skin can look good in the short run.

But over time, the damage caused by these types of alcohols might result in more pimples and larger pores.

Here’s the thing:

Alcohol can make your skin oilier, which means that the quick degreasing effect is gradually countered, making your oily skin appear even more glossy.

This is the only exception that applies to hand sanitizers.

These solutions work best when they include at least 60% alcohol (ethanol), which kills bacteria and viruses that cause disease.

The ideal option for maintaining good hand hygiene throughout the day is to use soap and water.

If these are not easily accessible, using a hand sanitizer is a good substitute.

Although alcohol exposure is not desirable, alcohol-based hand sanitizers are an essential health precaution, unlike alcohol-based skincare products for the face.

Names of Alcohol in Ingredient Lists for Skin Care Products

The following are some instances where alcohol is specified as an ingredient in skin care products:

• Alcohol Ethyl:

The FDA states that this is also referred to as ethanol, grain alcohol, or denatured ethanol.

Companies employ denatured alcohol to make cosmetics taste so bitter you’d never want to drink them.

This is so they can avoid paying taxes on the alcohol in them, according to CosmeticsInfo.org.

Denatured alcohol is present in skin care and hair care products, lotions, cosmetics, and fragrances.

Another name for it is SD alcohol.

• Alcohol Isopropyl:

Rubbing alcohol is arguably the more well-known moniker for this in the household.

You can find it in many different products, such as those for skin, hair, and nail care.

CosmeticsInfo.org states that it has multiple uses, such as an astringent, antifoaming agent, and solvent.

• Methanol or methyl alcohol:

Check your bath products for this, advises CosmeticsInfo.org. As an alcohol, it is regarded as denatured.

• Benzyl Alcohol:

CosmeticsInfo.org states that this alcohol is a naturally occurring substance that can be found in fruits, teas, soaps, cleansers, and hair products.

• Lanolin, Stearyl, Cetearyl, or Cetyl Alcohol:

According to the FDA, these are fatty alcohols, which distinguish them significantly from the conventional alcohols used in skin care.

These are found in skin moisturizers and cleansers, hair conditioners, foundations, eye makeup, and skin moisturizers.

They help hydrate skin and, when employed in formulations, keep liquid and oil from separating.

 Is Alcohol Good or Bad for Skincare?

The use of alcohol in skin care has advantages and disadvantages.

Alcohol has the ability to remove grease and debris from the face and penetrate oil accumulation.

Experts advise taking your skin type and objectives into account.

For example, an alcohol-based toner may help lessen the sebum that clogs pores if you have very oily skin.

But that same alcohol-based toner will dry up your skin if you have allergies, eczema, dry skin, or sensitive skin.

Some have expressed worry that alcohol may increase the likelihood of skin absorption of potentially dangerous or toxic pollutants in a product.

This is because it improves the penetration of other substances, according to a study.

As long as you’re buying a product that contains alcohol in moderation, the inclusion of alcohol is usually nothing to be concerned about, despite the debate surrounding it.

Many skin care products contain alcohol, which most individuals use without any issues.

Alcohol is unlikely to create skin problems for people with typical skin types.

However, read the ingredients label if your skin is sensitive in any way.

Alcohol may be irritating if you have a rash or inflammation that has damaged your skin barrier.

It will burn when applied if the skin is compromised, that is true of practically every product.

Examine Where Alcohol Is Listed Among the Ingredients

Similar to a food label, you can determine the amount of alcohol in a skin care product by looking at the ingredient list and where it is listed.

Products can still make use of the positive benefits of alcohol in modest or moderate doses to enhance their product and lessen its negative effects.

According to experts, skin drying is likely to occur if alcohol is one of the main constituents.

This could damage the protective layer of your skin if used frequently.

When this barrier is compromised, moisture can escape the skin and possible irritants can enter, causing redness and inflammation.

Alcohol should logically be listed lower on the ingredient list.

It might not be concentrated enough to break down your skin’s barrier if it is ranked lower on the list, beyond the sixth spot.

Since these can cause issues for dry skin, it is advised to avoid using products that contain ethanol, methanol.

Other alcohols to avoid include:

Ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, SD alcohol, and benzyl alcohol, particularly if these are high on the ingredient list.

Naturally, it might be difficult to navigate through this alone.

Taking your items to your dermatologist and talking about your concerns is a simple remedy.

Where to Get Skincare Products Without Alcohol

The FDA states that a product will not contain ethyl alcohol if it is marketed as ‘alcohol-free.’

However, after perusing the contents list, you might be perplexed to learn that your product contains fatty alcohols.

These can include such alcohols as cetyl, stearyl, cetearyl, or lanolin alcohol.

They belong in a completely separate category.

Other Substances That May Cause Skin Rashes

If you discover that your skin becomes sensitive to alcohol-containing cosmetics, keep in mind that alcohol might not even be the cause of the irritation.

These could include scents and certain preservatives, like parabens.

Look for chemicals like methylparaben and butylparaben that finish in ‘-paraben’ to determine if your product contains parabens.

Fragrance will appear as ‘fragrance.’ According to a study, using wet wipes on your face and coloring your hair might both cause irritation.

On your own, it can be challenging to identify just what you’re responding to.

Your physician can examine your items to look for patterns or decide whether a patch test is necessary to detect the problematic substances.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does sunscreen contain alcohol?

Certain types of alcohol, such as ethanol, denatured alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, methanol, and benzyl alcohol, may be hazardous.

These are the ones that ought to be used sparingly in sunscreen and other personal care products.

Is alcohol-based toner harmful to skin health?

If you have oily or acne-prone skin, stay away from products with alcohol in any form, as they can eventually clog pores and make your skin greasier.

Additionally, be aware that ethanol in toners can be quite drying for skin types with sensitive components.

Is alcohol a bad thing for skincare products?

Problems may arise with drying or ethyl alcohols, which are categorized as ‘ethanol,’ ‘ethyl alcohol,’ or ‘alcohol denat.’ (also known as denatured alcohol).

They irritate the skin, dry it out, and sometimes even escalate flare-ups of rosacea.

Additionally, they stop Vitamin A from being absorbed, which causes early aging.

Which alcohols are beneficial for skincare?

Similar to cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol as well.

Both of them protect the skin from bacteria, allergies, and moisture loss while also improving the texture of the skin.

The FDA lists stearyl alcohol and cetyl alcohol as safe, non-toxic, and non-sensitizing.

 

Disclaimer

This information is not meant to replace medical care from a licensed healthcare or beauty expert; rather, it is meant for educational and self-awareness purposes.