Alcohol in Skin Care? Yes or No

Alcohol in skin care, so it is good or bad for us, yes or no? The biggest the thing is to know if it is the bad kind of alcohol. It is hard to explain without getting into chemistry.

I am sure you have heard of rubbing alcohol or isopropyl alcohol. That is one of the solutions your medical provider may use to clean your skin prior to poking your finger or drawing blood. You may also see ethyl alcohol or ethanol alcohol written on labels. It is close in composition to isopropyl alcohol. It has a drying effect on the skin. Typically these solutions will be used as an anesthetic for the skin.

Read your labels. If your products contact any of these three alcohols the products may be drying your skin and possibly doing more harm than good to your skin.

Yes, there are alcohols that have more of a benefit. The complex alcohols are used in some skin care products are used as moisturizers, emollients, and emulsifiers. You will recognize these alcohols as cetyl alcohol, cetearyl alcohol. They are not drying like isopropyl alcohol.

Reading your labels is necessary to be certain the alcohol in your products is the safe kind of alcohol.

When looking for skin care products avoid ethyl alcohol, ethanol alcohol, and isopropyl alcohol to prevent drying of your skin with your products. Remember not to panic if you see cetyl alcohol and cetearyl alcohol. They are not harmful and will provide benefit.

If you would like more information regarding alcohols and their place in skin care you may contact the US Food and Drug Administration or Cosmetic Ingredient Review Board.

Take Care Until We Meet Again,

Ellie & The Skin Care Team

Call for your FREE Skin Consultant Now. 262.853.6851.

Alcohol in Skin Care?
alcohol in skin care