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Alcohol In Skincare & Cosmetics - What Do They Do, Are They All Bad, What Do I Look Out For?



Let’s talk Alcohol in skincare!


 Contrary to popular belief alcohol isn’t the worst ingredient around.

The more common stripping Alcohols like ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, alcohol denat, and methanol are used to make products more cosmetically elegant, help other ingredients to penetrate, and as a preservative.

These types of alcohols when used in high concentrations in skin care can damage your skin’s protective barrier which results in your skin is less effective at keeping moisture in (also known as trans-epidermal water loss). By over stripping the skin it’s natural response is to stimulate oil production which could lead to congestion/breakouts if your skin makes an excess the skin can’t cope with. Some of these alcohols do serve to help with certain  products absorb, or make them more cosmetically elegant. I've always believed using products containing these alcohols that are used close to the skin (toners, essences, serums and exfoliants) raises the risk of sensitivity. I prefer to opt for products like moisturisers and sunscreens if ever testing a product that contains these alcohols.

Benzyl Alcohol is a little different from the other above mentioned alcohols. It is considered an allergen however, it is sometimes necessary to keep organic or more natural skincare products safe from bacteria. So if you prefer to use more natural products factor this in as your preservative. 

Not all alcohols are damaging to the skin. These are considered ‘fatty alcohols are used to help to emulsify cosmetic and haircare products, essentially they hold products together so the oil and water does not separate. They’re not drying or irritating to your skin, they simply act as emollients which protect, soothe and keep moisture locked into your skin/hair. 

Cetearyl, Stearyl, Cetyl and Behenyl alcohol are the more common forms used so if you find them on your products ingredients you have nothing to worry about. Some other examples are:
  • Emulsifying Wax NF
  • E-wax
  • Glyceryl Oleate
  • Ceteareths
  • Glyceryl Stearate
  • Oleths, Sorbitans
  • Lauryl Glucoside
  • Polyglycose
  • Ingredients with the prefix PEG
For more information about more common surfactants, preservatives and emulsifiers check out my What Are Surfactants and How Do They Work In Your Skincare post:
What Are Surfactants & How Do They Work in Your Skincare

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