Denatured Alcohols
WHAT THEY ARE:
SD alcohol, denatured alcohol, isopropyl alcohol
Why theyâre used:
Gives a quick-drying finish and immediately degreases skin.
Can also be used as a preservative
Why theyâre harmful:
When used at high concentrations, these ingredients can cause
dryness, throw off the balance of your skin's microbiome,
weaken its outer barrier (which can lead to things like
irritation, redness and dryness), and disrupt your skin
cellsâ natural renewal and repair cycle.
In the long-term, with improper use, these alcohols can
actually increase oiliness by tricking your skin into
thinking that it needs to produce more oil (to counteract
the ingredientsâ immediate degreasing effect).
Fatty Alcohols
WHAT THEY ARE:
Cetyl Alcohol, stearyl alcohol, and cetearyl alcohol
Why theyâre used:
To soften, soothe and moisturize dry skin. These alcohols often work as
emulsifiers, basically holding oil and water molecules together
to make a product formula more creamy and effective.
WHY THEYâRE BENEFICIAL:
Often derived from vegetables, these ingredients are rich in healthy
fats that help replenish dry skin. Other skin types
can use them, too â just in smaller doses.
Plus, because of their emulsifying properties, they help
keep your skincare products more shelf-stable and
feeling silky smooth to the touch.
