Is rubbing alcohol safe for skin?

Is rubbing alcohol good for your skin?

Rubbing alcohol is a household chemical containing isopropyl alcohol, also called isopropanol. It has uses including disinfecting surfaces and, in very small amounts, cleaning bug bites and piercing sites. Those limited uses are different from repeatedly wiping your face or another large area of skin. For routine skin care, particularly on dry or irritated skin, choose a moisturizer rather than rubbing alcohol. A moisturizing lotion has a useful job to do after shaving, without turning the bathroom into a splash ceremony.23

What can rubbing alcohol do to skin?

Disinfectant chemicals, including 70% isopropyl alcohol, can cause severe irritation or chemical burns with concentrated, repeated or prolonged exposure. The amount of damage depends on the chemical's strength, how long it stays on the skin, how often contact happens and the skin's susceptibility. Repeated exposure can make previously damaged skin more vulnerable to the next exposure. Reducing contact with irritants lowers the risk of irritant contact dermatitis, meaning inflammation caused by damage to the skin's protective outer layer.1

Stop using rubbing alcohol if the skin becomes dry, flaky, cracked, red or swollen. Blistering, weeping or raw skin also needs attention. Broken skin is more vulnerable to infection; seek medical care for painful, swollen skin with oozing or pus rather than continuing to disinfect it yourself.12

Can you use rubbing alcohol as aftershave?

Skip rubbing alcohol after shaving, especially when the skin is dry or irritated. Shaving can create tiny cracks in the outer skin layer, with loss of moisture and inflammation. Sensitive skin is more prone to razor burn. Choose a moisturizing lotion or aftershave without alcohol, fragrance or other irritants.2

1. 1Soften and wet the skin before shaving, such as after a shower.
2. 2Apply shaving cream or gel, then shave in the direction of hair growth with light, short strokes.
3. 3Rinse the skin with cool water or apply a cool, damp washcloth.
4. 4Apply a hydrating lotion or gel. If razor burn develops, avoid shaving the affected area until it clears.

Razor burn usually lasts a few hours to a few days. If irritation does not clear within a few days or looks infected, see a healthcare provider. Sudden spots after shaving can also be folliculitis, an infection of the hair follicles that can resemble acne. A dermatologist can identify the cause and decide whether medication is needed.24

Never use rubbing alcohol for a fever

Rubbing alcohol produces a cooling sensation lasting only a minute or two. It can be absorbed through skin and cause alcohol poisoning, especially in children. Serious complications include seizures, irregular heartbeat and coma. Do not wipe yourself or a child down with rubbing alcohol to lower a temperature. For a child who feels too warm, a cool, damp washcloth can help with comfort instead. Call a healthcare provider promptly if a child with fever is younger than 3 months, has a temperature of 104 F or higher, is in significant pain or is not acting normally.35

Does every alcohol on a skincare label mean rubbing alcohol?

No. On cosmetic labels, "alcohol" by itself means ethyl alcohol, also called ethanol. Cetyl, stearyl, cetearyl and lanolin alcohol are fatty alcohols with different effects on skin. Products labeled "alcohol free" can still contain these other alcohols. Read the full ingredient name rather than treating every appearance of "alcohol" as identical, because the label is an ingredient list, not a word search. "Alcohol Denat." means denatured ethyl alcohol, made undrinkable with an added substance; it is not another name for isopropyl alcohol.6