Dermatologists: Should You Avoid Alcohol in Skincare?

If you have dry or soft skin, there's a good chance you've been told to stay away from products that contain alcohol. And not like the alcohol you drink (although it can also be bad for your skin) but alcohol, which is added to skin care products and is commonly used as a solvent or to improve the texture of a formula. This type of alcohol can be dry and irritate the skinbut according to some of our Skincare.com experts, it's not the skin villain you might think. Keep reading to find out how alcohol can affect the skin and why some professionals say they want to avoid it. 

Why is alcohol used in skin care?

There are two categories of alcohols commonly used in skin care: low molecular weight alcohol (such as ethanol and denatured alcohol) and high molecular weight alcohol (such as glycerol and cetyl alcohol). Each serves a different purpose and can have different effects on the skin. 

"Low molecular weight alcohols are solvents that help things that don't dissolve in water," says Dr. Ranella Hirsch, a board certified dermatologist based in Boston. These alcohols are also antimicrobial agents.

High molecular weight alcohols, also known as fatty alcohols, are naturally occurring. “They can be used as emollients or thickeners,” says Dr. Hirsch. Alcohols can help smooth out the skin and give your product a less watery texture. 

What are the potential negative effects of alcohol in skin care products? 

Ethanol, denatured alcohol, and other low molecular weight substances can dry and irritate the skin. In comparison, fatty alcohols can have the opposite effect. Due to its emollient properties, Krupa Caestline, cosmetic chemist and founder KKT Consultants, Says that they can be helpful for dry skin. However, at high concentrations, "they can cause breakouts and flushing," says Dr. Hirsch. 

Who Should Avoid Alcohol in Skincare?

Dr. Hirsch says it really comes down to a formula, i.e. concentration of alcohol used and what other ingredients are included. “You can have an irritating ingredient, but putting it in a full formula can make it less irritating,” she explains. If in doubt, consult a dermatologist or test the product before applying it to the entire face or body.