There are a wide range of alcohol compounds used in skin care and grooming products. The chemical names for these alcoholic ingredients can be confusing as many sound similar but their characteristics are different. Basically, there are two major types of alcohol in grooming products.
Cleansing but Drying Alcohols - These types of alcohols, traditionally used in many aftershave products and considered manly because of their stinging feel on the skin, should usually be avoided because of their overly drying effect on the skin. Overly dry skin makes you look older, tired and less healthy. These types of alcohols are often used in colognes (remember to NEVER apply cologne directly to your face - you'll stink too much and you'll dry your face out. Cologne should only be applied behind the ears, on the neck or wrists.) Included in this group are:- Isopropyl or Isopropyl Alcohol
- Ethyl Alcohol
- Ethanol or Ethanol Alcohol
- Ethanol B
- SD Alcohol
- Denatured Alcohol or Alchol Denat.
- Methanol
- Benzyl Alcohol
Fatty Alcohols - These are often used in skin care products to stabilize and thicken the formulations. Usually non-irritating. Included in this group:- Acetylated Lanolin Alcohol - derived from lanolin (the fat of wool shearings) and used to soften the skin. If you often breakout, you should avoid this ingredient.
- Cetearyl Alcohol - made from plant oil and often used as a stabilizer and thickener.
- Cetyl Alcohol - made from coconut oil and used to help all the ingredients mix well.
- Stearyl Alcohol - made from palm trees and used as a skin softener. Non-irritating and non-drying.
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