Ingredient decoder

Denatured alcohol: is it comedogenic? What it does in skincare

INCI name: Alcohol Denat.

Acne verdict Watch

Worth watching on acne-prone skin

  • ComedogenicNo published rating
  • IrritancyNo published rating

What it does

Fast-drying alcohol that can dry skin when used in high amounts.

  • Antifoaming
  • Antimicrobial
  • Astringent
  • Masking
  • Solvent
  • Viscosity controlling

Denatured alcohol in plain English

Alcohol denat. is ethanol with a bitter additive so it cannot be drunk, used to dissolve ingredients, give a light, fast-drying feel and make oily skin feel less greasy. Near the top of the ingredient list it can dry out skin and weaken the skin barrier, which may lead to more oil, flaking and irritation. Low on the list, in small amounts to help other ingredients dissolve or dry faster, it is usually fine.

Is denatured alcohol bad for acne?

Not usually, but it is worth watching. Denatured alcohol is not a proven pore-clogger, but drying alcohol high on a list can leave skin dry and irritated. Notice how your skin reacts when a product lists it near the top.

Clean routine and still breaking out? The cause may be internal. See what is driving it

Also called

  • Alcohol Denat.
  • Alcohol denatured
  • Denatured ethanol

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Frequently asked questions

Is denatured alcohol comedogenic?

Denatured alcohol has no published comedogenic rating in Fulton's 1989 table. It is not a proven pore-clogger, but it is worth watching on acne-prone skin.

What does denatured alcohol do in skincare?

In short: fast-drying alcohol that can dry skin when used in high amounts. In formulas it is used for antifoaming, antimicrobial, astringent, masking, solvent and viscosity controlling.

What else is denatured alcohol called on ingredient labels?

On ingredient lists, denatured alcohol can also appear as Alcohol Denat., Alcohol denatured or Denatured ethanol.

Sources