What is denatured alcohol and why is it in cosmetics?

Alcohol in cosmetics

Denatured alcohol is an ingredient that is sometimes mixed into cosmetics. It is not just denatured alcohol, but it is common for some kind of alcohol to be included in skin care products.

Alcohol ingredients, especially ethanol , have a negative image of being bad for the skin. However, there are actually big differences depending on the type. Some alcohol ingredients can have beneficial effects such as moisturizing and toning.

However, there are some precautions you should be aware of before using it. This article summarizes the effects of denatured alcohol on the skin.

What is Denatured Alcohol?

Denatured alcohol is a type of ethanol mixed with additives, also known as grain alcohol, and is sometimes used in skin care products such as lotions, milks, and serums.

The reason for adding it is its functionality rather than its effect on the skin. Denatured alcohol removes oils from the skin, allowing other ingredients to penetrate more easily .
For this reason, it is often used in products for oily skin and in men's skin care, and as a preparation for chemical peels.

In addition, it improves the product's stretchability and is also expected to be effective as a preservative .

It is sometimes used in hand sanitizers and cleaning products due to its germicidal properties, and is also used as camping fuel because it is highly flammable.

Denatured alcohol is dangerous to drink

While regular alcoholic beverages have an alcohol content of about 40%, ethanol is 60-90%. Even consuming small amounts can pose a risk of acute alcohol poisoning.

Therefore, denatured alcohol is made by adding additives called denaturants to prevent it from being used for drinking. Denaturants include methanol, isopropyl alcohol, and methyl ethyl ketone.

Methanol causes paralysis and death when ingested. Also, methyl ethyl ketone has an odor that is not suitable for drinking. By adding such dangerous substances and coloring it with dyes, ethanol is prevented from being diverted for drinking purposes.

Things to be aware of when using skin care products containing denatured alcohol

As long as it does not contain methanol, it is considered safe to use denatured alcohol at the level commonly used in cosmetics.

As mentioned above, denatured alcohol evaporates quickly and has the effect of removing oils from the skin. Since it leaves a matte, lightweight feel, some people may think that it is suitable for people with oily skin.

However, especially when used in high concentrations, they can be extremely drying to the skin . Therefore, excessive use can lead to inflammation and redness. Long-term use can also disrupt the skin's sebum balance, worsening oily skin and breakouts .
Even if you have oily skin, it's best to use it sparingly, such as once every two weeks.

People with dry or sensitive skin should use with caution

If you have dry or sensitive skin , be especially careful when using skin care products that contain denatured alcohol, as it can cause further dryness.

Also, be careful when fragrances or highly irritating ingredients are mixed in to enhance the penetration of other ingredients. It's not just the good ingredients that are easily absorbed. In other words, even ingredients that normally don't cause problems may be more likely to cause irritation due to the effects of denatured alcohol.

For the same reason, caution is required if your skin barrier is weakened due to atopic dermatitis or inflammation. It is best to avoid using this product on extremely dry or damaged skin.

"Alcohol-free" products may contain denatured alcohol

There are many cosmetics that claim to be "alcohol-free." However, in general, "alcohol" in cosmetics refers only to ethanol. In other words, "denatured alcohol" is sometimes not considered alcohol.

Even if a product is labeled "alcohol-free," be sure to check to see if it contains denatured alcohol.