Is denatured alcohol safe in skincare?

What does denatured alcohol mean?

Denatured alcohol is ethanol, also called ethyl alcohol, with an added substance that makes it undrinkable. Denaturing prevents cosmetic alcohol from being diverted into alcoholic drinks. The term describes that change, rather than a separate family of alcohols or a benefit for your skin.1

On an ingredient list, look for Alcohol Denat. or SD Alcohol followed by a number or a combination of numbers and letters. SD means specially denatured. Alcohol Denat. is an internationally used name, so products sold in different countries can use different names for denatured ethanol. Read the ingredient list rather than deciding from the front label, which has already had its turn to make an impression.1

What is denatured alcohol used for in skincare?

Ethanol acts as a solvent, helping dissolve substances in a formula. It also acts as a penetration enhancer, helping substances pass through the skin. That is useful in some topical formulations, but greater penetration is not automatically better for irritated skin. The outermost skin layer, called the stratum corneum, protects against water loss and outside irritants while also limiting what passes through it. Inflammatory skin conditions can impair that barrier, making careful formulation especially important.24

When should you choose something without ethanol?

Avoid alcohol containing products when dryness is already a problem. This applies to cleansers as well as products that stay on your skin: an alcohol containing cleanser can dry skin even though you rinse it away. Cold outdoor air and dry indoor heat can also disrupt the skin barrier, particularly with eczema or psoriasis. A product choice that seemed comfortable before winter deserves another look if your skin becomes dry or itchy.5

If a product causes irritation, stop using it rather than continuing through the reaction. For dry skin, choose a fragrance free cleanser and a cream or ointment instead of a lighter lotion. Apply moisturizer while skin is still damp after bathing to trap water, and use it at least twice daily when addressing excessive dryness. Do not exfoliate dry, peeling skin to remove the flakes; moisturize instead. See a dermatologist if dryness does not improve, or becomes painful, cracked, bleeding, stinging or very irritating.23

Are all alcohols the same?

No. Cetyl, stearyl and cetearyl alcohol are fatty alcohols, with effects on skin that differ from ethanol. An "alcohol free" cosmetic can contain those ingredients because the claim refers to ethyl alcohol. Read the specific names before ruling out a product, because the word "alcohol" is doing more jobs than the front label admits.1

Does alcohol in skincare cause skin cancer?

A link between topical ethanol and increased skin cancer risk has not been established. Drinking alcohol and applying an ethanol containing cosmetic are different exposures. Longer term effects of topical ethanol remain insufficiently researched; the practical concerns for routine skincare are dryness, irritation and contact dermatitis, an inflammatory skin reaction after contact with a substance.2