active
Alcohol Denat.
Standard vehicle and antimicrobial in fragrance formulations with mature safety record. Remains controversial in clean-beauty despite evidence.
Benefits
- Solubilises fragrance and lipophilic actives
- Antimicrobial
- Creates lightweight fast-absorbing textures
- Astringent — temporary pore-tightening
- Enhances percutaneous absorption of co-actives
Example uses
- Fine fragrance carrier
- Astringent toners
- Hair sprays
- Micellar waters
- Skin prep formulations
Mechanism of action
Denatures microbial surface proteins and disrupts membrane integrity. Reduces interfacial tension to solvate nonpolar fragrance molecules. Percutaneous penetration enhancement via transient disruption of stratum corneum lipid bilayer.
Clinical evidence · High
Multiple SCCS opinions confirm safety at cosmetic concentrations. Barrier disruption at high concentrations documented but not clinically significant in typical fragrance or toner applications.
Effective concentration range
q.s. (up to ~85% in fine fragrance; 5–20% in toners)
Formulation notes
At >30% disrupts stratum corneum lipid organisation and elevates TEWL. At fragrance-level concentrations barrier disruption is transient in intact skin.
Watchouts
Chronic high-concentration application has documented barrier-disruptive effects. Rosacea and atopic dermatitis individuals should avoid high-alcohol formulations.
Conflicts with
Controversies & overclaims
Case study in clean-beauty overclaim. Safe at cosmetic concentrations per SCCS; alcohol-free superiority claimed without evidence of harm in normal skin at routine use.
Market positioning
Demonised as universally damaging. Accurate framing is concentration-dependent.
Comedogenicity
0 / 5
Sensitisation risk
Low
INCI & aliases
Alcohol Denat.
denatured alcohol · ethanol denatured · SD alcohol
Clean beauty perception
Frequently banned in clean lists despite mature safety data. Discourse conflates high-concentration barrier disruption with routine use.
Graph relationships
Timeline