Alcohol cleansing pads for skin: when to use them

What kind of alcohol product do you have?

Read the intended use, warnings and directions on your own pack. The directions for Medline's 91% bottled solution are not directions for a 70% alcohol pad. If a wipe will touch broken skin, check for the word 'sterile'; alcohol content and sterility are separate things to check.26

Should you use alcohol pads on your face?

For acne prone skin, avoid rubbing alcohol and drying astringents. Drying out oily skin can irritate it and lead to more acne. For routine face washing, a mild cleanser is the useful choice, leaving the first aid kit out of the skincare recruitment process.1

Use this cleansing sequence instead:

1. 1Apply a mild cleanser labelled noncomedogenic, meaning it is formulated not to clog pores, lightly with your fingertips.
2. 2Rinse gently with warm water, without scrubbing.
3. 3Pat dry with a clean towel.
4. 4If your skin feels dry, apply a moisturizer made for acne prone skin after washing.

Wash your face when you wake up, before bed and after activities that make you sweat. Repeated washing throughout the day can irritate skin. Use acne medication as directed rather than adding alcohol pads to try to accelerate results.1

Acne treatments generally need 6 to 8 weeks to show some improvement, and complete clearing generally takes 3 to 4 months. These are acne treatment timelines, not expected results from alcohol pads. Deep or painful acne needs a dermatologist's care; persistent acne can also need prescription treatment.1

How do you use a first aid alcohol product?

Use the directions for the exact product you have. As one specific example, Medline's 797 Isopropyl Alcohol 91% solution is labelled for first aid use on minor cuts, scrapes and burns:2

1. 1Clean the affected area.
2. 2Apply a small amount to the area 1 to 3 times daily.
3. 3Let the area dry before covering it with a sterile bandage, if using one.

That label limits use to no longer than one week and says not to apply over large areas. It does not specify a morning or evening routine. Ask a doctor before using the solution on deep wounds, puncture wounds, animal bites or serious burns.2

The solution is for external use only. Keep it away from eyes and mucous membranes, do not inhale it, and do not apply it to irritated skin. Stop if excessive irritation develops, or ask a doctor if the condition persists or worsens. Keep it away from children; if swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center immediately.2

Does alcohol always dry or sting?

Formulation matters. Modern alcohol handrubs contain emollients, or skin softeners, to help prevent drying. Many studies of nurses describe less dryness and irritation with these handrubs than with soap and water. That finding concerns handrubs, not alcohol cleansing pads or facial skincare. Alcohol handrub stings on cuts or broken skin; cover those areas with waterproof plasters. Allergic contact dermatitis, an allergic skin reaction, from handrubs is very rare.5

Alcohol products are potentially flammable. Store them away from heat and flames. Allow handrub to dry and its vapours to disperse after use; keep Medline's solution away from fire, heat, sparks and electrical ignition sources.25

Are alcohol free wipes safer for wounds?

Alcohol free does not mean suitable for a wound. Only use wipes marked sterile on broken skin, including scratches or areas where you can see blood. Check that the packaging is undamaged and the wipes are in date. Discard expired wipes or those with damaged packaging. Nonsterile alcohol free wipes should not be used on wounds or to clean intravenous lines, which deliver treatment into a vein.46

A UK safety notice advises disposing of ValueAid Alcohol Free Cleansing Wipes, Microsafe Moist Wipe Alcohol Free, Steroplast Sterowipe Alcohol Free Cleansing Wipes and Reliwipe Alcohol Free Cleansing Wipes in household waste because of contamination concerns. These products were withdrawn from sale but can remain in home first aid kits. The notice concerns these named products, not every alcohol free wipe.4

After using nonsterile alcohol free wipes, seek medical care for wound redness, swelling, increasing pain, warmth, pus or other drainage. Redness, swelling or pain around an intravenous line, or fever and chills, also need medical attention. People with intravenous lines should use wipes on them only as instructed by their clinical team. People with weakened immune systems, cystic fibrosis or intravenous lines are at greater risk from the bacteria involved in the contamination alert.46