Guide to Good and Bad Alcohols in Skincare

Hi everyone! Thanks for checking out another blog post. I am heading back to the research board a bit to give you some cold, hard facts on alcohol in skincare. We’ve all heard people say, “I won’t use that product, it lists alcohol as an ingredient!” Immediately, we think of rubbing alcohol on our face. Which, yes, should make us run. However, there are different kinds of alcohols, and this has to do with their molecular structure, and therefore they affect the skin differently. I am going to start with the “bad” alcohols that you can find in many skincare items- possibly at your vanity at home!

Bad Alcohols in Skincare:

Before I even list them, I want to explain why an alcohol can be bad for the skin, and why they should be avoided. Alcohol is known to degrease a surface, so when it is applied to the face, oils are evaporated. This is why alcohol is particularly prevalent in skincare for people with oily and acne prone skin.

Over time, however, this is causing damage to the skin. Our facial skin is very delicate, and must maintain a proper balance of oil and water to feel healthy. When alcohol is applied, the outer layer is compromised quite a bit, leaving it open to a slew of unwanted issues.

• SD alcohol, alcohol denatured, isopropyl alcohol, ethanol, methanol, benzyl alcohol

Here are some popular skin care items that do contain these alcohols…

Cleansers

-Mario Badescu Acne Facial Cleanser, contains isopropyl alcohol

-Philosophy Clear Days Ahead Acne Treatment Cleanser, contains Hydrogen Peroxide (not alcohol, but does very similar damage to the skin!!)

-Jack Black Pure Clean Daily Facial Cleanser, contains benzyl alcohol

-Neutrogena Naturals Fresh Cleansing and Makeup Remover, contains benzyl alcohol

-Neutrogena Rapid Clear Stubborn Acne Cream Cleaner, contains benzyl alcohol

-Murad Pore Rescue daily cleansing foam, contains unspecified “alcohol”

Toners

-Formula 10.0.6 So Totally Clean Deep Pore Cleanser, contains Alcohol Denatured

-Clinique Clarifying Lotions 2,3 & 4, contain alcohol Denatured

-Clean and Clear Tough Love Acne Clearing Toner, contains SD alcohol

-Neutrogena Rapid Clear 2 in 1 toner, contains alcohol denatured

-YourGoodSkin Pore Minimizing Tonic, contains alcohol denatured

I didn’t have to do a lot of sleuthing to find the alcohols, as most websites list ingredients of the product in the description and there it is! These are just a few I came across under the “Best Sellers” section, so chances are you’ve at least seen these sitting on a shelf somewhere or online.

For cleansers, alcohol can be used to lighten the formula and make it more light weight. It is also used to allow the product to penetrate the skin better. Alcohol also has antibacterial properties which make it popular for acne treatments. Toners are known for containing alcohol, so really not much of a surprise there. You can purchase an Essence, which has no alcohol, a toner which contains some alcohol, or an astringent which is comprised mostly of alcohol.

Toners are meant to degrease the skin and tighten pores. They allow products used after to sink into the skin and work better. However, even if you have oily skin, you don’t need to use an alcohol containing toner all over your face! It can truly exacerbate the problem and make your skin overcompensate, producing more oil. I personally use an essence and an alcohol free toner- they both allow my skin care products to penetrate more without compromising my barrier.

The good news is that there are also good alcohols in your skincare! They help to hydrate the skin, as well as thicken and emulsify the mixture of the product. These “fatty alcohols” are listed below:

• Cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, cetearyl alcohol, glycol, lauryl alcohol, glycol

Stearyl alcohol is derived from stearic acid, which is a naturally occurring fatty acid.

Cetyl, is derived from coconut oil and cetearyl is either coconut oil or palm oil.

Here are some best selling items that contain one or more of these alcohols…

Cleansers

-Cerave Hydrating Face Cleanser, contains ceterayl, stearyl, and cetyl alcohol

-Dermalogica Ultra Calming Cleanser, contains ceterayl alcohol

-Origins Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash, contains ceterayl alcohol

-Juice Beauty Cleansing Milk, contains cetearyl alcohol

-Ulta Nourishing Daily Cleanser, contains cetyl, cetearyl, and glycol

Alcohol Free Toners/Essences

-Thayers Alcohol Free Witch Hazel Toner

-Skin and Co Truffle Therapy Toner (I use this one and love it!)

-Derma E Essentials Radiance Toner

-Tatcha The Essence Skin Softener

These are just a few, by no means are these the only products out there. I wanted to showcase some recognizable products on the Best Selling list at Ulta and Sephora to show how little we all most likely know about what is in our favorite skin care items- good and bad!

Overall, I am not saying that every skin care products that contains alcohol is garbage. In some cases, the alcohol is very little and will not do much to damage the skin. However, there are other products and techniques to utilize that are better long-term for your skin. If you have incredibly oily skin and large pores, a product containing little alcohol (meaning it is found toward bottom of ingredient list) can be used to spot treat an area. Through my studies and experience though, I have found the more gentle you are with your skin, the better outcome! Unless we are talking agressive anti-aging…but that’s another blog topic 🙂

Everyone’s skin is different and reacts differently. You may be using an alcohol containing cleanser and toner, but not noticing any issues in the surface of the skin. I always remind people that there are layers to the skin that are taking damage daily that we won’t see until we are older. So protect it as best as you can!

What are your thoughts about alcohol in skincare? Do you use anything containing it? Read your ingredients label and comment below!

Thanks for reading!

All products listed can be found at Ulta Beauty or Sephora