Denatured alcohol (DA) is made of ethanol, a simple form of alcohol used in many household and cosmetic products.
Although DA sometimes includes harmful additives, you’re unlikely to find these additives in skincare products. Yet, some skincare labs still use DA in other forms.
But is DA really any good for the skin? Is it safe to use? We’ll answer these questions and more!
Table of Contents
What Can You Use Denatured Alcohol For?
As A Cleanser
You can use DA as an antiseptic as it kills bacteria and viruses. Because of this characteristic, you’ll find it in hand sanitizers and some cleansing products.
You can use 60%-70% solutions of DA to make rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer if it doesn’t contain harmful additives. Rubbing oil is often used to clean pierced ears and as a surgical antiseptic. It’s called “surgical spirits” when sold for this purpose.
As A Cooling & Drying Agent
As a cosmetic ingredient, manufacturers use DA in skincare products like toners, where it acts as a drying agent, reduces oiliness, and gives your skin a matte finish. It’s also present in some aftersun lotions. DA creates a cooling effect as the alcohol evaporates from your skin.
As A Preservative
Cosmetic companies might add DA to help preserve their products. Manufacturers use DA in small amounts in skincare and cosmetic products. Make-up remover and purifying masks may contain DA. It’s also found in cooling gels and aftersun lotion.
Although it can act as a preservative, there are much better alternatives to it.
Overall, the benefits of denatured alcohol are:
- Less oil on the skin
- A cooling effect on the skin
- Skincare products last longer
Those with very oily skins might find a little DA helps rein in the grease in the short term. But overusing DA eventually increases oiliness and may enlarge the pores.
What Are The Different Types Of DA?
DA comes in two main forms: with or without additives. Its naming depends on where it’s sold in the world.
If you find it under the names “denatured alcohol” or “alcohol denat” in beauty products, it’s generally safe for use.
You might also see it called “specially denatured alcohol” or “SD alcohol.” This can be unsafe for your skin, depending on what it’s mixed with.
When in its poisonous form, it’s called “denatured rectified spirit,” “wood spirit,” or “wood alcohol.” In this form, it’s usually mixed with other additives and used for hardware products, so you needn’t worry about it in your toner.
But coming into contact with it in this way can harm your skin and health.
Things To Keep In Mind When Using This Ingredient
Get a sample of a product containing DA that you’re considering buying. Try it out and decide if it’s right for you. If the product is expensive, you can definitely expect it to contain better ingredients than DA.
DA evaporates quickly, so keep the lid on. If you have wrinkled, dry, or sensitive skin, consider products without DA.
Is It Actually Safe To Use?
When used in small amounts in skincare products, DA is safe, but (and it’s a big but) it’s not beneficial in the long run.
Never use DA with harmful additives to make DIY skincare products. For example, some claim methylated spirits help with stretch marks. You may have heard some people use methylated spirits to clear acne after not cleansing for a long time.
Do not use it for these or any healthcare purposes. Even if you’re struggling with bad acne, never use methylated spirits on your skin. It can cause chemical burns and sting your eyes.
You also shouldn’t ingest DA. Make sure to keep it away from children and pets, too, as ingesting it can lead to blindness, liver disease, and paralysis. If you’ve ingested it accidentally, seek medical help immediately.
Choose products with larger amounts of DA that have child-proof caps. When combined with other strong substances, DA can trigger skin allergies and asthma-like symptoms.
Summary
Denatured alcohol is safe to use, depending on what it’s mixed with in the denaturing process. Without harmful additives, it’s okay in small amounts for skincare.
Its benefits include oil reduction, cooling, and product preservation. It’s a good enough ingredient, but not one you should add as a staple in your skincare routine!