Alcohol serves various purposes when used in cosmetic products. However, for some people, using products containing alcohol can have adverse effects on their skin. So, products that don’t contain this ingredient, like alcohol free deodorants are usually recommended for people with sensitive skin.
However, for others, cosmetic products containing alcohol do wonders for their skin. This begs the question of whether alcohol in cosmetic products is a good or a bad thing.
In this article, we’ll be discussing the harms and benefits of alcohol-based cosmetic products.
Why Is Alcohol Used in Cosmetic Products?
Alcohol in skincare products serves different purposes in different products. Here are some of them.
- Makeup Products: Alcohol is used in makeup products such as powder, eyeshadow, blush, and foundation to help these products stick and not smudge easily.
- Skincare creams: In sunscreens, moisturisers, and other skincare creams, alcohol is used to boost the absorption of ingredients and make the products feel less greasy.
- Shampoos: Many shampoo brands include alcohol in their shampoos to help cleanse the scalp and hair and also to eliminate the excess oil hiding in there.
- Conditioner: In conditioners, alcohol works to make the texture of the hair better and make it easier to manage and style.
In many cosmetic products, alcohol also doubles as a preservative. However, that’s not usually its main function. Other ingredients are used to preserve these products.
Are Alcohol-Based Cosmetic Products Good or Bad for Your Skin?
As far as safety goes, alcohol is neither bad for your skin nor does it pose a threat to your health. The effects of alcohol-based skincare products will vary depending on people’s experience with them. People have different skin types, and some may react negatively to cosmetic products that contain alcohol, and it may improve overall skin health for others.
Usually, for oily skin, alcohol degreases the face by penetrating oil buildup and dissolving the dirt there. People with extremely oily skin use alcohol-based cosmetic products to unclog their skin pores.
On the other hand, people with dry skin, eczema, allergies, or sensitive skin have a different story to tell. Alcohol can further dry their skin and worsen existing conditions.
When used in large quantities, alcohol can also destroy the sebum layer of the skin. Its hygroscopic properties allow it to draw even more water from the skin and leave it dry.
So, it is somewhat safe to conclude that alcohol-based products aren’t exactly great on dry skin. But it’s not that straightforward. The quantity of alcohol plays a huge role in its effectiveness or ‘over effectiveness’ as the case may be. Using cosmetic products with 5% alcohol or less is the safest and best way to experience the good effects of this ingredient, especially on dry skin.
Conclusion
When shopping for a product, it’s important that you read the product labels to know whether the product contains alcohol or not and the amount it contains. Also, remember that alcohol takes up different names when used in cosmetic products, such as ethanol, denatured alcohol, fatty alcohols, and propylene glycol. Each one of these products has different effects, but be especially wary of bad alcohols like ethanol if you have sensitive skin.
Most importantly, contact your dermatologist if you have sensitive skin and want to try out a new product that contains alcohol.
