Alcohol in Skincare: Harmful or Helpful? How to Choose the Right Products
Is there a good enough reason for alcohol to be in the skincare industry? So many cosmetic companies use it! Is it harmful or Helpful? To answer those questions, let’s first explain a little more about alcohol in skincare. We are here to clarify things and help you choose the best skin care product for you.
What is an Alcoholic Molecule?
An alcoholic molecule is a molecule that has the addition of oxygen and hydrogen (OH) and this is what makes it a type of alcohol. In skincare, we mainly have two main types of alcohol: low and high molecular weight alcohol.
Low Molecular Weight Alcohol
Those type of alcohol evaporates very quickly with the skin, while taking a molecule of water. As soon as water molecules are taken from our skin, it causes dehydration and irritation.
Then why do some use it you ask? it gives a light texture to the product and is usually added to products that are suitable for those with oily skin to dissolve the fats in the skin barrier and neutralize the fats and give them a feeling of a clean feeling.
However - despite the advantage of quickly removing fats from the skin barrier, low molecular alcohol can stimulate sebum production (oil - fat) at the base of the pore, so that ultimately that oily skin will produce more sebum. There for there is no good effect on the skin, but even bad.
It is also added to products for those with acne-prone skin, to kill the acne bacteria. But today this is a completely old-school method because there are better ones.
A 2003 study found that with regular exposure to alcohol-based products, the action damages and erodes the skin barrier, which is responsible for the integrity and maintenance of the skin's integrity.
Below are low molecular weight alcohol that you should avoid using, and that cannot be found in your skin care.
Alcohol
Ethanol / Ethyl alcohol
Alcohol denat. / Denatured alcohol
SD alcohol / SD alcohol 40
Isopropyl alcohol
Methanol
High Molecular Weight Alcohols - The good ones that we love!
These are also called fatty alcohols, their function is to moisturize the skin, and also provide softening and thickening properties, anti-aging properties for the skin and give a creamier texture to the product.
Therefore, not all alcohol is bad! Yes!
In fact - there is almost no connection between fatty alcohols and low molecular weight alcohols.
Below are high molecular weight alcohol that you should use and should be in your skin care because of their wonderful properties:
Cetyl alcohol
Stearyl alcohol / Isostearyl alcohol
Lauryl alcohol
Glycol
C12-16
Myristyl alcohol
Cetearyl alcohol
Isopropyl myristate
t-butyl alcohol
Myristyl alcohol
Glyceryl stearate
The Best Serum for Glowing Skin – Thoughtful Ingredients
When creating our line of products, we have created products that pay attention to details. Our products contain high molecular weight alcohol to enhance softening and thinking of the skin and supporting all anti-aging properties that we ask for in a skin care. Our ingredients are thoughtfully made andWhen we developed our Balance Booster Elixir and Glow Revival Vitamin C Serum, we focused on creating the best serum for glowing skin—products for radiant skin without putting your skin barrier at risk, with the best ingredients.
These ingredients support restoring and help maintain healthy skin, making them the perfect face serum for glowing skin without using harmful alcohols.
Final Thoughts
High Molecular Weight Alcohols are a must that we love in skin care. for hydration, The key is to choose formulas that support long-term skin health.
At Avecly, we ensure every detail matters so you can finally have skincare that truly works.