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Alcohol

Our database includes 3,511 products that contain Alcohol.

Explained

Alcohol comes in many different forms. Different types of alcohol will have different effects on skin. This ingredient is usually an astringent alcohol.

These alcohols are drying on the skin. They may strip away your skin's natural oils and even damage your skin barrier. Astringent alcohols may also irritate skin.

Other types of astringent alcohols include:

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.

Any type of sanitizing product will have high amounts of alcohol to help kill bacteria and viruses.

Fatty alcohols come from plant oils such as coconut oil. These can help hydrate the skin and are non-irritating. Some fatty alcohols include cetyl and stearyl alcohol.

You should know

Concerns

Dry Skin
Oily Skin
Irritation
Rosacea
Eczema
Community Rating
Very Disliked

What it does

Antimicrobial Capable of destroying or inhibiting the growth of microorganisms
Astringent Tending to draw together or constrict tissues; styptic. may unclog pores, remove excess oil, shrink appearance of pores, tighten skin, cleanse irritants from skin, reduce inflammation, reduce acne, provide anti-bacterial benefits
Masking Obscuring or blocking
Solvent Capable of dissolving another substance.

Prevalence

Somewhat common Percentage of products that contain it
5.6%
Top categories
Treatments
Makeup
Cleansers
Position Predominant list placement
Top 25%
Concentration Concentrations we've seen
0% to 95%

References

CosIng Data

CosIng ID 31401
INCI Name ALCOHOL
INN Name alcohol
EC #  200-578-6
Ph. Eur. Name alcoholum / ethanolum
All Functions Antifoaming, Antimicrobial, Astringent, Masking, Solvent, Viscosity Controlling