We’re fortunate to live in an era where skincare advancements are constantly made, causing new ingredients and products to rise to fame. But sometimes it can feel overwhelming to keep track of which ingredients should be prioritized and which ones should be avoided.
One example of this is alcohol—a once popular skincare ingredient that’s faced some backlash in the past few years. However, recent headlines have brought renewed attention to the use of alcohol in skincare products—specifically, alcohol denat [1]. This begs the question: Is alcohol good for your face? (Not to be confused with drinking alcohol that can cause acne).
Read on for the lowdown on alcohol denat in skincare so that you can make informed decisions that will keep your skin supple and luminous.
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What is Alcohol Denat?
“Alcohol denat” is shorthand for denatured alcohol—common alcohol that has been combined with foul-smelling, stomach-turning additives that are toxic, such as [2]:
- Methanol
- Acetone
- Methyl ethyl ketone
- Denatonium
The process of denaturing alcohol accomplishes two aims: It allows manufacturers to use exceptionally high levels of pure alcohol in products while dissuading human consumption, which can have deadly consequences [3]. In addition to cosmetics, it’s also used in some hair styling products and skincare products.
Why Is Alcohol Denat Used in Skincare Products?
While the info above may sound icky and terrifying (and evoke the thought, why would alcohol denat be used in the first place?), bear in mind that everything from your toothpaste to your shampoo needs a bit of chemical assistance to keep them functional, effective, and, above all, safe for use.
Simply put, alcohol denat is a cost-effective compound that [4][5]:,
- Acts as a natural preservative
- Helps hinder the spread of pathogens, or invisible-to-the-naked-eye microorganisms that could spoil your skincare product and put you at risk for infection
- Emulsifies ingredients
- Promotes product stability
- Cleanses skin
- Thins products for improved application and absorption
- Operates as an anti-foaming agent (to keep products from foaming over when they’re shaken)
That said, alcohol denat isn’t used solely for the purposes of protecting your product and shielding your skin. Alcohol, denatured or not, may deliver some other surprising benefits for your skin—a topic we’ll delve into shortly.
What Types of Skincare Products Feature Alcohol Denat?
Beauty brands ranging from Loreal to La Mer use alcohol denat in their skincare products [6]. Indeed, alcohol denat is present in an abundance of the products many of us use daily, namely:
- Toners
- Serums
- Creams
- Lotions
- Facial cleansers
- Masks
Alcohol Denat in Skincare: Yay or No Way?
Anything with the term toxic associated with it might cause even the most laid back among us to drop a product like a hot potato, but, as with most things in life, alcohol denat has both advantages and drawbacks.
The Cons of Alcohol Denat in Skincare
- Excessive dryness – In a recent survey about our biggest skincare hangups, 77% reported they wished there were stronger solutions for dryness—a skincare woe that affects individuals regardless of their age and may result in fine lines, cracks, tightness (and not that good kind of taut), discomfort, itchiness, flakiness, and eczema [7]. And if you’re wondering if dry skin causes acne, it definitely can [8]. Alcohol denat acts as a drying agent and may result in the very symptoms we use skincare products to avoid. By drying out the skin, alcohol denat can actually lead to potentially more breakouts as when the skin becomes dry it can trigger the skin’s natural oil production.
- Skin barrier dysfunction – The outermost layer of your skin, or the stratum corneum, operates as your first line of protection against the environmental hazards you encounter daily and shields skin cells that contain the glow-enhancing good stuff, like keratin and lipids [9]. Alcohol denat may rob your skin’s barrier of its natural protective oils and leave your skin vulnerable to irritants, which could ultimately result in a red, inflamed complexion. Even more of a skin concern? It may increase your risk of viral, fungal, and bacterial skin infections [10].
- Breakouts – Whether you’re a skincare aficionado or just now learning about it, chances are you’ve heard of the potential benefits of skin purging and its capacity to mimic breakouts. But breakouts of the undesirable kind may occur after using products that contain alcohol denat, running counter to our skincare goals.
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The Pros of Alcohol Denat In Skincare/strong>
The same concept applies to alcohol denat. A few of its potential pros include:
- Improved product absorption – Alcohol denat is frequently seen in toners, which can be a helpful step in a skincare routine [12]. Toners help remove impurities and prep your skin for the products that follow. Alcohol denat, inside and outside of toners, may do the same by evaporating rapidly and facilitating the absorption of, say, your daily serum or customized night cream.
- Enriched smoothness – Alcohol denat has the ability to neutralize oils in your skin, which may bolster the smoothness of your complexion and give it that coveted, satiny feel.
- Protection against acne – Another bonus: Alcohol denat, like other types of alcohol, has organic antibacterial and astringent properties. This can be a boon for those with oily, acne-prone complexions. If this strikes a chord with you, trust that you shouldn’t run out searching for products that specifically contain alcohol denat. As we touched upon above, alcohol denat can also strip your skin of its natural emollients. This may cause the sebaceous (oil) glands in your skin to overreact and manufacture an excess of oil that could result in—yep, you guessed it—acne.
Is Alcohol Denat In Skincare Safe?
In a word: Yes. According to the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel, alcohol denat is deemed safe in its present use and concentrations.
Bottom Line: Alcohol Denat In Skincare
But whether it’s fine to use products that include alcohol denat is, really, mixed: The pros over at The Derm Collective suggest that alcohol denat should be avoided, particularly for long-term use [13]. In fact, an older study on the effects of alcohol on skin demonstrates that it can provoke contact dermatitis and irritation [14].
However, the dermatologists behind The Derm Review assert that it all depends on your skin type. If you have any of the following, you might want to pause before using a product with alcohol denat as it may cause skin irritation [15]:
- Dry skin
- Rosacea
- Damaged skin
- Oily and/or acne-prone skin
Alternatives to Alcohol Denat
- Glycerin
- Coconut oil
- Tea tree oil
- Willow bark extract
All of this said, what if you discover that your favorite product, which seems to be working magically, contains alcohol denat?
If this is the case, dermatologists recommend using the product cautiously and infrequently—as in once every two weeks. If you call upon it more regularly, you may experience negative side effects, like moisture loss and damage to your skin’s top layer [17].
What Types Of Alcohol Are Beneficial For Your Skin?
As mentioned, not all alcohols are bad for your skin; in fact, some may encourage moisture retention and keep your skin free from debris that could clog your pores and result in acne. The most beneficial alcohols are known as “fatty alcohols.” These can include [18]:
- Stearyl
- Cetyl
- Cetearyl alcohol
Interested in staying away from alcohol in skincare completely?
A word of caution, then: Because of a loophole with the FDA, skincare brands can market their products as “alcohol-free” even when alcohol, like alcohol denat, is present [19]. So, even if you think you’re purchasing and using a product you believe to be devoid of alcohol, it’s always imperative to check ingredient labels carefully.
Reap the Rewards of Tailored Ingredients with PROVEN Skincare
When it comes to alcohol in skincare, the real bottom line is this: Everyone is unique, and while skincare products containing alcohol denat might be just fine for someone else, they may ravage your complexion. All of this underscores the importance of finding a simplified and customized skincare regime that works beautifully and effectively with your unique skincare type, concerns, and goals.
Fortunately, PROVEN Skincare is more than happy to assist. Our quick but comprehensive skincare quiz enables us to pinpoint the precise ingredients that may help you address your skincare woes and elevate your confidence. From there, we can use these ingredients to develop personalized skincare products to help you maintain your skin’s health, integrity, and radiance.
Check us out today, and feel empowered knowing exactly what you’re putting on your skin.
