What are the cosmetics industry's real reasons for using alcohol in facial care products?

In the world of skin care, alcohol plays a key role. It's present in a multitude of products, from lotions and serums to moisturizers and sunscreens. But what exactly is its role, and is it safe for your skin? Let's discover the various aspects of alcohol use in skin care.

In this guide, we'll explore the pros and cons of alcohol in skin care, focusing on the effects of denatured alcohol.

1) Side effects of denatured alcohol

One of the main side effects of denatured alcohol is aggravated skin dryness. This is because this ingredient tends to remove the skin's natural oils, disrupting the skin barrier. This disruption can lead to increased moisture loss, making the skin drier, and allowing more irritants to penetrate, potentially increasing the risk of redness and sensitivity.

What I object to about alcohol in facials

• Aggravate skin dryness
• Accentuate redness
• Damage the skin barrier

In addition, skin dehydration can cause a rebound effect, where the skin begins to produce more oil to compensate, which can lead to an increase in rashes.

2) Then why does the cosmetics industry use alcohol in skincare products?

Alcohol has some interesting properties for industry:

An effective solventEthanol is renowned for its ability to dissolve substances that water cannot. This is particularly true of certain oils and esters used in perfumes, as well as active ingredients in skin care products, such as salicylic acid. Although other solvents, such as glycols, can be used, ethanol remains a preferred choice due to its volatility, thus avoiding a shiny finish on the skin.

Cleaning agentIn older toners and make-up removers, alcohol was often used to help remove lipids, oils and waxes from the skin. It can also prepare the skin for more intensive treatments, such as peels.

CuratorAlthough less common today, alcohol can be used as a preservative in cosmetic formulations, thanks to its high concentration, which inhibits the growth of bacteria.

Texture enhancementOne of ethanol's most appreciated properties is its volatility, which enables rapid evaporation. This facilitates product application, helping formulas to spread and dry quickly, while providing a cooling effect. This property is often exploited in sunscreens to lighten their texture.

Skin penetration enhancerEthanol can also enhance the efficacy of certain active ingredients by facilitating their deep penetration into the skin, and increasing their concentration.

My opinion: Should alcohol be avoided at all costs in skincare products?

No, if you have the oily skin and resistant, alcohol can be interesting because it gives a light texture to certain products. I think that denatured alcohol could be useful in formulating certain sun creams for oily skin: for example: Vichy, La Roche-Posay or Eucérin.

Yes, you should avoid alcohol-rich products if you have the dry skin or a sensitive skin.

In the end

Alcohol is a versatile ingredient in skincare products, offering a number of advantages, but above all many disadvantages.