Alcohol denat, also known as denatured alcohol, is a common ingredient in skincare products that is used for several reasons. It is a great solvent, penetration enhancer, and creates cosmetically elegant, light formulas. It also acts as a preservative and has antimicrobial properties. However, there are some potential drawbacks to using alcohol denat in skincare products. Here are some details:
Positive aspects:
- Helps products spread easily and absorb quickly
- Acts as a preservative
- Great solvent
- Penetration enhancer
- Creates cosmetically elegant, light formulas
- Antimicrobial
Negative aspects:
- Dries out the skin
- Can cause excessive dryness and disturb the natural barrier on your skin
- Can cause irritation, breakouts, and redness
- Some experts think that regular exposure to alcohol damages the skin barrier and causes inflammation, though this is a debated opinion
- If its in the first few ingredients on an ingredient list, it can be very drying
- Some studies suggest that denatured alcohol on skin may also cause breakouts, skin irritation, and redness
Its important to note that not all alcohols are created equally. Fatty alcohols, such as stearyl alcohol, cetearyl alcohol, and cetyl alcohol, are often added to skincare products as emollients or moisturizing agents and are actually good for your skin.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has determined that alcohol denat is safe for use in skincare and cosmetics at concentrations between 0.05% and 12% . However, its still a good idea to be mindful of the ingredients in your skincare routine and to avoid products that contain alcohol denat if you have dry or sensitive skin.
