Ingredient dictionary

Alcohol

Also listed as: Ethanol, Alcohol denat., SD alcohol

Alcohol, usually ethanol, is a light liquid that dissolves oils and fragrance and dries down quickly on skin. It is on the label of 205 products in our library. Checked against our library November 6, 2026.

The catch: this belongs to the drying alcohol family: simple alcohols like ethanol can dry skin and sting dry, sensitive or eczema-prone skin, especially when high on the ingredient list.

Drying alcohol. Alcohol denat., SD alcohol, ethanol or isopropyl alcohol. Fatty alcohols like cetyl alcohol are different and fine.

What Alcohol does

Dissolves oils and fragrance
Speeds up drying on skin
Helps formulas blend smoothly
Gives a light, cool feel

Alcohol in skincare is usually ethanol, often made by fermenting plant sugars. Labels may say alcohol denat. or SD alcohol, which means ethanol with added agents that make it unfit to drink.

Formulators use it to dissolve oils and fragrance and to speed up drying. That quick drying leaves a light, cool feel, which is why it appears in deodorants, perfumes and scalp treatments. It can also help other ingredients blend into one smooth liquid.

Good for

Oily or normal skin that likes a light, fast-drying feel, often found in deodorants and scalp products.

Frequently asked questions

Is alcohol in skincare the same as drinking alcohol?

They are related, since both are forms of ethanol. Skincare alcohol is often denatured, so it has added agents that make it unfit to drink. It works as a solvent and a fast-drying carrier.

Does alcohol dry out skin?

It can. Simple alcohols evaporate quickly and can pull oils off the surface, which may feel tight or stinging on dry or sensitive skin. Many people with normal or oily skin find it fine.