Can you use isopropyl alcohol on skin?

How should you apply it?

Check the intended use on your bottle before applying it. For example, Medline's US 797 Isopropyl Alcohol 91% is labelled as a first aid antiseptic for minor cuts, scrapes and burns. Its directions are specific to that product, not a routine for your whole face:1

1. 1Clean the affected area.
2. 2Apply a small amount to the area 1 to 3 times daily.
3. 3If using a sterile bandage, let the alcohol dry before covering the area.

Medline limits use to one week and warns against application over large areas. Do not apply it to irritated skin. Ask a doctor before using it on deep or puncture wounds, animal bites or serious burns. Stop using it and ask a doctor if the condition persists or gets worse, or if excessive irritation develops.1

Should you use it on your face?

Avoid making rubbing alcohol a regular facial cleansing step if your skin is sensitive or acne prone. If you do use it on your face, apply moisturizer afterward. Repeated or prolonged exposure to isopropyl alcohol can cause severe irritation; concentration is not the only issue. How often you apply an irritant and how long it stays in contact with skin also affect the damage.24

Can you use 99% isopropyl alcohol on skin?

Do not choose 99% alcohol simply because it is stronger. Very high concentrations can be harsher on skin. A concentrated starting ingredient is also different from a finished skin product: Health Canada's hand sanitizer formulation starts with 99.8% isopropyl alcohol but contains 75% in the final preparation. For skin use, choose a product labelled for the intended purpose rather than treating concentrated alcohol as interchangeable with sanitizer.25

How does isopropyl alcohol compare with ethyl alcohol for skin?

Both ethyl alcohol, also called ethanol, and isopropyl alcohol work as skin antiseptics. At concentrations of 60% to 90% in water, both kill a broad range of microbes but not bacterial spores. Neither belongs near the eyes or on mucous membranes, such as the inside of the mouth. Choose by the product's intended use and directions, not the alcohol name alone.3

Why is isopropyl alcohol used in skincare?

In antiseptic skin products, isopropyl alcohol provides antimicrobial action, meaning it kills microbes. Antiseptics are used for hand hygiene and skin preparation before medical procedures. The goal of skin antisepsis is to reduce germs, not to give every step of skincare a disinfectant uniform. A particular cosmetic's reason for including isopropyl alcohol depends on its formulation.36

What else should you avoid?

Keep rubbing alcohol away from flames, heat and sparks, and avoid inhaling it. Never swallow it or mix it with bleach. Do not use alcohol baths or alcohol soaked compresses for fever or aches: excessive absorption through skin can be toxic to the heart and nerves. Keep the bottle out of children's reach. If swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center immediately.12