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Sunday, January 25, 2009
by Skincare-news.com team
There are few terms that strike fear in the hearts of skincare shoppers more than the word “alcohol.” But not all alcohols are created equal. In fact, some are actually good for your skin. Here’s a quick rundown of which alcohols to avoid and which to allow in your skincare routine.
Alcohols to avoid
These alcohols can irritate and dry out the skin: ethyl alcohol — also known as denatured, or SD, alcohol and ethanol — benzyl alcohol, methyl and isopropyl alcohol. In fact, you should never see the last two alcohols in skincare, because they’re so harsh.
Acceptable alcohols
Several types of cosmetic alcohols, also known as fatty alcohols, are actually valuable ingredients. These alcohols help skincare formulas transform into silky-smooth products.
- Cetyl alcohol is an emollient that comes from coconut oil. It’s often added as a stabilizer to cosmetic emulsions, such as: baby lotions, hand creams, foundation, lipstick, shampoo, mascara, deodorant, nail polish remover and cream blush.
- Stearyl alcohol, also derived from coconut oil, can be used in place of cetyl alcohol in order to obtain a firmer formula. Specifically, you’ll find stearyl alcohol in creams, lubricants, depilatories and conditioners.
- Cetearyl alcohol is an emulsifying wax, regularly used to soften ointments or other thick formulas. Widely found in permanent hair color, cleansers, face creams (especially for dry skin), eye makeup, lipstick and sun block.
- Lanolin alcohol, the sebum extracted from sheep’s wool, is another excellent emulsifier that’s used in moisturizers, sunscreen, self-tanners, shaving cream and cosmetics.
Product picks
Here’s a selection of hydrating skincare products that contain cosmetic alcohols:
- La Roche Posay Anthelios SX Daily Moisturizer with SPF 15 is a broad-spectrum, highly effective sunscreen that contains the revolutionary SPF ingredient, Mexoryl.
- Richly scented with the essential oil of California tangerine, The Art of Shaving Soap — Tangerine is a luxurious product that hydrates and softens the skin.
- One of the hottest anti-aging formulas on the market, Janson Beckett AlphaDerma CE features a handful of powerful anti-aging ingredients — including argireline, vitamin E, vitamin C ester, alpha lipoic acid, DMAE and soy — that target skin concerns on both the face and body. This treatment improves the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, stretch marks and scars.
- Dr. Michelle Copeland Body Moisturizing Lotion includes vitamins A, E and lipoic acid to hydrate and protect the skin for a soft, supple look and feel.
- Obagi ELASTIderm Night Eye Cream is designed to boost collagen and elastin for younger-looking eyes.
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A: Some companies add SD alcohol to toners, especially for oily complexions, in an effort to remove excess oil from your skin. But this type of alcohol is simply too harsh — even for very oily skin.
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A: Denatured alcohol is ethyl alcohol that’s been treated with a denaturant, a product that makes the alcohol taste bad to prevent accidental ingestion. All ethyl alcohols must be denatured before they can be used in skincare products.
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