Ingredient decoder

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

INCI name: Isopropyl Alcohol

Acne verdict Watch

Worth watching on acne-prone skin

  • Comedogenic0 / 5
  • Irritancy0 / 5

What it does

Rubbing alcohol solvent that can dry skin in high amounts.

  • Antifoaming
  • Perfuming
  • Solvent
  • Viscosity controlling

Isopropyl alcohol in plain English

Isopropyl alcohol, also called rubbing alcohol, is used as a solvent and to make products dry quickly. 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 isopropyl alcohol bad for acne?

Not usually, but it is worth watching. Isopropyl alcohol is not a proven pore-clogger, but drying alcohol high on a list can leave skin dry and irritated. In Fulton's 1989 rabbit-ear test it scored 0 out of 5 for clogging pores and 0 out of 5 for irritation. 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

  • Isopropyl Alcohol
  • Isopropanol
  • Rubbing alcohol
  • 2-propanol
  • IPA
  • Propan-2-ol

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Frequently asked questions

Is isopropyl alcohol comedogenic?

Isopropyl alcohol scored 0 out of 5 for comedogenicity in Fulton's 1989 rabbit-ear study, where 0 means no clogging and 5 means severe. That is a low rating. The test used the raw ingredient, so a finished product may behave differently.

What does isopropyl alcohol do in skincare?

In short: rubbing alcohol solvent that can dry skin in high amounts. In formulas it is used for antifoaming, perfuming, solvent and viscosity controlling.

What else is isopropyl alcohol called on ingredient labels?

On ingredient lists, isopropyl alcohol can also appear as Isopropanol, Rubbing alcohol, 2-propanol or IPA.

Sources