Can I use rubbing alcohol as aftershave?

Why rubbing alcohol is a poor finish

Shaving can create tiny cracks in the outer layer of skin, reduce hydration and cause inflammation. Adding something drying works against the soothing care that freshly shaved skin needs. Rubbing alcohol is a household product made with isopropyl alcohol, also called isopropanol. Its uses include disinfecting surfaces, but that is a different job from caring for skin after shaving. A soothing aftershave belongs at the end of a shave, not an audition for household disinfectants.234

What should I do instead?

1. 1Wash before shaving with a cleanser that will not clog pores. Soften the hair at the end of a shower or with a warm, damp washcloth.
2. 2Apply a moisturizing shaving cream. Shave in the direction your hair grows rather than against it.
3. 3Rinse away the shaving cream with warm water, then place a cool, damp washcloth on the shaved area.
4. 4Apply a soothing aftershave formulated to reduce razor bumps and irritation, or a moisturizing lotion. For dry or irritated skin, avoid alcohol, fragrance and other irritants.

Replace a disposable razor after five to seven shaves and store it in a dry place. If you use an electric razor, clean it every five to seven shaves. These habits belong alongside aftershave care: changing how you shave can help prevent bumps or make them fewer and less painful.4

Can you use aftershave without alcohol?

Yes. An emollient, meaning a product that softens and moisturizes skin, is suitable for dry, irritated skin after shaving. A moisturizing lotion can serve as your aftershave, even if the bottle has neglected to dress for the occasion.2

Check the ingredient list as well as the alcohol free claim. On cosmetic labels, "alcohol" by itself means ethyl alcohol, also called ethanol. "Alcohol Denat." and "SD Alcohol" are names for denatured ethyl alcohol: alcohol with an added substance that makes it undrinkable. These names identify a different alcohol from the isopropyl alcohol in rubbing alcohol.5

An alcohol free cosmetic can still contain cetyl, stearyl, cetearyl or lanolin alcohol. These are fatty alcohols, a different group with different effects on skin from ethyl alcohol. Finding one of those names does not mean the bottle contains rubbing alcohol. The word alcohol covers a family of chemicals, not one interchangeable ingredient.5

Can you use rubbing alcohol on skin?

Rubbing alcohol has limited skin uses, including cleaning bug bites and piercing sites in very small amounts. Those uses are separate from applying it across a shaved area as routine skincare. Rubbing alcohol dries skin rather than moisturizing it. Never use it to wipe down a child or treat a fever; absorption through the skin can cause serious poisoning, especially in children.36

What if I already applied rubbing alcohol?

Flush exposed skin with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes. If rubbing alcohol gets into your eyes, flush with water for at least 15 minutes and seek medical help right away. If someone swallows it, contact poison control or emergency services immediately. In the United States, call Poison Help at 1 800 222 1222. Do not make the person vomit.7

For razor burn, use a cool washcloth or moisturizer and stop shaving the affected area until it heals. Razor burn usually lasts a few hours to a few days. Contact a healthcare provider if the irritation does not clear within a few days or looks infected. If razor bumps persist despite changing your shaving habits, see a dermatologist.24