What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Acetate
MaskingEthyl Acetate
Perfuming
Nitrocellulose
Tosylamide/Epoxy Resin
Acetyl Tributyl Citrate
Masking
Isopropyl Alcohol
Solvent
Stearalkonium Bentonite
Gel FormingSilica
Abrasive
Benzophenone-1
UV Absorber
Trimethylpentanediyl Dibenzoate
Diacetone Alcohol
MaskingPhosphoric Acid
BufferingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77266
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77510
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Polysilicone-29
Cetyl Triethylmonium Dimethicone PEG-8 Succinate
Silicone Quaternium-18
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-6 Caprylate
EmulsifyingCinnamidopropyltrimonium Chloride
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Parfum
Masking
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Disodium EDTA
ChelatingTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingTrideceth-6
EmulsifyingGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Citric Acid
Buffering
Glycerin
Humectant
Isopropyl Alcohol
Solvent
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Galactoarabinan
Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract
Emollient
Trehalose
Humectant
Xylitol
Humectant
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Oryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Hydrolyzed Verbascum Thapsus Flower
Antioxidant
Litchi Chinensis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Coco Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate
CleansingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingSodium Phosphate
BufferingBHT
Antioxidant
Helianthus Annuus Extract
Emollient
Leontopodium Alpinum Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrullus Lanatus Seed Oil
Emollient
Acacia Seyal Gum Extract
HumectantRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialTocopherol
Antioxidant
Malachite Extract
Antioxidant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicNiacinamide
Smoothing
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Polysilicone-29, Cetyl Triethylmonium Dimethicone PEG-8 Succinate, Silicone Quaternium-18, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate, Cinnamidopropyltrimonium Chloride, Chlorphenesin, Parfum, Sodium Benzoate, Disodium EDTA, Trideceth-12, Trideceth-6, Glycolic Acid, Citric Acid, Glycerin, Isopropyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Galactoarabinan, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Trehalose, Xylitol, Caffeine, Caprylyl Glycol, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Polysorbate 20, Panthenol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Hydrolyzed Verbascum Thapsus Flower, Litchi Chinensis Fruit Extract, Sodium Coco Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Hexylene Glycol, Sodium Phosphate, BHT, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Leontopodium Alpinum Extract, Citrullus Lanatus Seed Oil, Acacia Seyal Gum Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Malachite Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Potassium Sorbate, Potassium Hydroxide, Biotin, Niacinamide, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Isopropyl Alcohol is a small, fast-evaporating alcohol.
Formulators use it as a solvent, a way to think out thick liquids, an antifoaming agent, and occasionally a fragrance ingredient.
Reported use concentrations run from 0.002%-100% and any number over 50% usually comes from a nail product.
Actual skincare numbers run much lower: cleansers (0.3-26%), toners (0.07-7%), face moisturizers (0.04-0.2%).
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel reviewed it and concluded it is safe in the present practices of use and the International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies it as a non-carcinogenic to humans.
True allergy to this ingredient is uncommon but real: 44 out of 1,450 patients patch tested between 1992-2011 reacted with most cases clustering in people with leg ulcers, occupational hand eczema, or repeated use of Isopropyl Alcohol on already-broken skin.
Irritation and dryness are far more likely than allergy; before you throw away your skincare, just know this is dose-dependent and the risk is modest.
The irritant potential of the alcohols used in hand antiseptics is very low and skin irritation is significantly lower after alcohol application than after detergents (though isopropanol is somewhat more irritating than ethanol).
A 70% solution was a severe eye irritant in rabbit eye tests so the industry keeps this ingredient at low percentages in eye-area products.
One genuine caution: a 70% solution was a severe eye irritant in rabbit eye tests, so it belongs at low percentages in eye-area products, which is where the industry already keeps it.
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
Learn more about Isopropyl Alcohol
