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Ingredient dictionary

Alcohol Denat.

Also listed as: SD Alcohol, Denatured Alcohol

Alcohol Denat. is a simple alcohol, usually ethanol, made unfit to drink, whose main job is to thin formulas and help them dry. It is on the label of 1 product in our library. Checked against our library November 6, 2026.

The catch: it is flagged as a drying alcohol, since high on a label it can dry out and sting dry, sensitive or eczema-prone skin.

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

What Alcohol Denat. does

  • Thins and dissolves other ingredients
  • Helps formulas dry quickly
  • Gives a light, fast-evaporating feel

Alcohol Denat. starts as ethanol, the alcohol found in drinks. It is mixed with small amounts of denaturants, bitter additives that make it unfit to drink. Formulators use it because it is light, thins other ingredients and evaporates quickly, leaving the active ingredients on the skin or hair.

On the skin, it feels cool and light, and it dries fast. That speed suits sprays, toners and dry shampoos. The same drying action can take moisture from the skin's surface, so it may feel tight or sting when it sits high in the formula.

Good for

Suits lightweight, fast-drying formulas like sprays and dry shampoos, for people who don't mind a drier feel.

Frequently asked questions

Is Alcohol Denat. bad for your skin?

Not for everyone. It is well tolerated in many products, but it can dry or sting dry, sensitive or eczema-prone skin, especially high in the formula. If your skin reacts, pick products where it sits lower on the list.

Does Alcohol Denat. dry out hair?

It can. In hair products such as dry shampoo, it helps the product set and dry quickly. Frequent use on very dry or coarse hair may feel drying over time. If your hair feels stiff or dry, look for conditioning products with fatty alcohols such as cetyl alcohol.

Products with Alcohol Denat.

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