190 Proof Ethanol for Skincare

Imagine having clear, glowing, healthy skin. That kind of beauty doesn't have to be a dream anymore. You can use ethanol-based skincare products to improve how you look.

But you might ask,

Why should you use alcohol-based cosmetics? Isn't the solvent only used for manufacturing beverages? Will you experience any side effects?

The quick answer is that you have found a goldmine in this article. You'll find out about all that and more. Read on.

Why is Ethanol Used in the Beauty Industry?

Ethanol, also known as grain alcohol, has passed the test of time as a valuable ingredient in the beauty industry. Over the years, people have used the solvent to make herbal medicine, skincare products, and fragrances. 

The cosmetic industry preserves products such as lotions with alcohol. You'll also find ethanol-based products such as extracts, tinctures, aromatherapy oils, and toners containing the solvent.

People have become more conscious of their health recently. And with that development, they have come to prefer using natural products as part of their skincare routine.

To provide that effect, manufacturers turn to ethanol as the major ingredient. Reputable companies, therefore, use either organic, non-GMO, or denatured types of alcohol.

Do You Need A Non-irritating Skin Product That Doesn't Cause Your Skin to Flake?

Ireditable beauty companies use organic pharmaceutical grade alcohol, 190 or 200 proof, to make their products.

In other cases, you'll find that some people use Cetyl, Stearyl, or Cetearyl alcohol. And when you combine those factors with the right amount and percentage of alcohol, you'll have the finest skin product.

Therefore, ensure you check the ingredients for that.

What are the Advantages of 190 Proof Ethanol?
​Using Ethanol for Skin Oil Extraction

Alcohol is an effective solvent for extracting botanical, herbal, and essential oils. When you use the solvent, you'll get a high yield, a high percentage of the active ingredients such as alkaloids, terpenes, phytochemicals, and a unique scent. 

Ethanol is more effective than other extraction substances like glycerin, water, and propylene. However, some of those compounds are harmful to your skin and body when absorbed.

Using Ethanol as a Preservative

Ethanol is a natural preservative valuable for industrial or DIY beauty products. And since alcohol is an effective antimicrobial agent, you'll prevent the growth of many bacteria that cause dermatitis and rashes.

You'll get that effect because when ethanol comes into contact with the bacterial cell wall, it denatures the lipids, thus causing the micro-organism's death. Therefore, the solvent allows you to apply your items safely and for long periods. 

When you use ethanol for preservation, you also avoid parabens. The compounds are not only unnatural, but they don't react well with ingredients such as fatty acids and fatty alcohols. Besides, the high pH associated with parabens is harmful to the skin.

You'll enhance your skin's absorption of the vital ingredients when you use alcohol-based cosmetics. That effect occurs thanks to the solvent's ability to solubilize the aromatic compounds that protect your skin from damage and make it look vibrant.

Moreover, your skin will ‌retain enough moisture and prevent it from drying due to the alcohol's emulsifying properties.

Using Ethanol as an Astringent

Astringents help remove acne, tighten your skin, remove irritating substances and reduce skin inflammation. Therefore, you can use the product if you have oily skin to help you get a smooth facial appearance and reduce breakouts. Remember to follow up with a moisturizer to preserve your skin's moisture and prevent cracking.

It'll trap dust, micro-organisms, and debris if you have oily skin. And that only contributes to skin infections, acne, and skin damage.

However, you can solve that problem by using alcohol-based cleansers and wipes. You'll benefit from the solvent because ethanol is an excellent dissolving agent, easily cleaning away polar molecules on your skin.

Ethanol for Making Sanitizers

There are 2-10 million bacteria on your hands, and out of those, a considerable number causes infections. One of the significant effects of those micro-organisms is causing acne because people often touch their faces with dirty hands. 

But don't worry, ethanol-based sanitizers kill those bacteria, helping you maintain clear skin. What's more, sanitizers are convenient. Therefore, you can clean your hands anywhere without worrying about a lack of soap and water.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Ethanol Dry Your Skin?

Sadly, reports saying that ethanol-based skin products cause skin dryness and irritation are false.

Because the solvent only damages the skin if you apply it directly, instead of using it as a carrier in the beauty products. Hence, it's essential to distinguish between those two forms of application.

Products such as astringents used in skin toning have a high alcohol percentage while still containing humectants and emollients. Those substances moisturize and smoothen your skin, giving it a healthy, glowing appearance.

Therefore, ensure that your cosmetic product at least contains glycerin, butter, and moisturizing oils to get the best effect from ethanol.

Isn't Ethanol Carcinogenic?

When you consume alcohol excessively, it's indeed carcinogenic. That increased cancer risk occurs because your body metabolizes alcohol to acetaldehyde.

And that end-product then promotes tumor growth. However, that effect is not the case when applying ethanol-based beauty products.

Research supports that your skin absorbs a negligible amount of alcohol through your skin. And therefore, your body can't accumulate enough acetaldehyde to cause alcohol-related cancers. You would have to apply a large amount of alcohol to your skin, which is impossible.

Conclusion

People prefer using ethanol as a skincare product because it is natural, safe, and effective. For that reason, you'll find the solvent in many skin products such as astringents, lotions, and the extraction of face oils.

You don't have to worry about alcohol drying your skin unless you use the solvent directly instead of combining it with humectants and emollients. Many skin infections arise as a result of infective agents. You'll find most of those bacteria residing on your hands.
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Therefore, you'll need to invest in a hand sanitizer to kill those germs, ‌ maintaining acne-free skin. And you don't have to worry about getting alcohol-related tumors as your skin doesn't absorb enough alcohol to cause that side effect.