Alcohol-based skincare products can irritate and dry out the skin, aggravate many skin conditions, and inflict long-term damage. That is why experts advise against using all types of alcohol and recommend products with clean and nurturing ingredients that promote skin health.
This article explains everything you need to know about alcohol in skin care and why you should avoid it at all costs if your goal is healthy, radiant skin.
Is Alcohol in Skin Care Bad for Your Skin?
Volatile alcohols are added to products for a quick-dry, matte finish, providing a lightweight feel and enhancing absorption. They also act as a solvent or preservative and are found in lotions, fragrances, makeup, shaving products, hair products, and oral care.
Alcohols damage the skin barrier and cause more problems than benefits, especially for those with sensitive skin. They dry out the skin, leading to increased redness and irritation. Research indicates that topically applied alcohol may increase the penetration of harmful, carcinogenic ingredients, such as nitrosamines.
Dermatologists recommend avoiding all alcohol-based products because they strip the skin of natural oils, weaken the protective barrier, and irritate the skin.
What Alcohols in Skin Care Are Bad for the Skin?
Simple alcohols, which evaporate quickly, lead to increased moisture loss, reduced protection from harmful substances, and they aggravate many skin problems. You should avoid skincare products containing them to prevent flare-ups and inflammation.
The following is a list of skin-damaging alcohols:
- Denatured alcohol (SD alcohol, ethyl alcohol, or ethanol) – This highly irritant alcohol is present in many over-the-counter sunscreens, makeup, lotions, and fragrances. It acts as a solvent with strong anti-foaming and astringent properties, causing dryness, barrier disruption, and cell death.
- Isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol or isopropanol) – It is used as a solvent, astringent, anti-foaming agent, and absorption enhancer in nail, hair, and skincare products. It is highly irritant, drying, and sensitizing to the skin. It can make harmful substances more damaging on the skin because it boosts the penetration of other ingredients.
- Methyl alcohol (methanol) – A synthetic, volatile alcohol used as a solvent and fragrance in cosmetics. It also helps denature ethyl alcohol, making it unfit for human consumption. It is toxic when inhaled, ingested, or applied topically.
- Benzyl alcohol – This organic alcohol has potent antifungal and antibacterial properties. It is safe to use as a preservative in concentrations of up to 5% but may irritate the skin if used in higher concentrations. It is often found in cleansers, cosmetics, soaps, and hair products.
You should avoid all skincare products that contain these alcohols as they have no benefits and can even harm your skin.
According to the FDA, cosmetic products labeled “alcohol-free” may contain fatty alcohols. These substances are derived from fatty acids sourced from natural fats and oils, and they can be beneficial in small amounts. These non-drying alcohols (e.g., cetyl, stearyl, cetearyl, or lanolin alcohol) serve as emollients, thickeners, or stabilizers and are found in a variety of cosmetic products.
How Alcohol in Skin Care Damages the Skin?
Alcohol-based skincare products can provoke or aggravate the following skin conditions:
Skin Inflammation
Another research indicates that topically-applied alcohol alters skin permeability, making it more susceptible to environmental pollutants. It also increases skin inflammation, irritation, lipid depletion, and weakened barrier function.
If you are looking to reduce inflammation, redness, rashes, itchiness, and swelling, go for anti-inflammatory skincare products, which combat damage caused by free radicals.
Dry Skin
Alcohol strips away natural oils and dehydrates the skin, causing dryness, flakiness, and roughness. The skin becomes cracked and more sensitive to external irritants. Loss of lipids weakens the skin barrier and decreases moisture retention, leading to overall loss of elasticity, creases, and wrinkles.
To eliminate dry skin and replenish lost moisture, make sure your skincare products don’t contain alcohol.
Note: Discover the best skincare routine for dry skin.
Sensitive Skin
People with sensitive skin are strongly advised to avoid harsh skincare ingredients like parabens, sulfates, and alcohol. Aggressive products can worsen the condition, lead to flare-ups, and make the skin more vulnerable to harmful factors, like UV radiation, air-borne pollutants, and toxic chemicals.
Note: Find the best eye cream for sensitive skin, as recommended by skin experts.
Acne
Using alcohol-based products for an immediate matte finish may be tempting if you have oily, acne-prone skin. However, studies show that alcohol does not control sebum (oil) production and may increase it by stimulating neuropeptides in the sebaceous glands. Moreover, alcohol worsens inflammation and triggers androgen hormones, causing more acne.
If you want to get rid of oily skin and reduce acne, use gentle, alcohol-free products.
Note: Explore our list of the best skincare products for oily, acne-prone skin.
Rosacea
Rosacea patients should refrain from alcohol-based products as these increase the risk of redness, flushing, and a burning sensation. Alcohol disrupts the protective barrier and causes rosacea flare-ups.
This inflammatory skin condition requires gentle, natural skincare to soothe the symptoms.
Note: Discover 19 natural treatments for rosacea.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is characterized by dryness, flakiness, itchiness, and scaly patches that vary in shape and color. Patients are strongly advised against using irritant skincare, such as alcohol. This ingredient can intensify the symptoms and worsen the condition, leading to skin cracking, peeling, and bleeding.
If you suffer from psoriasis, it is essential to use moisturizers and ingredients that stimulate skin repair and maintain optimal hydration.
Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)
Eczema is accompanied by excessive dryness, itching, redness, cracked skin, and blisters. Alcohol exacerbates this chronic inflammatory condition by drying out the skin, disrupting the barrier, and increasing inflammation.
Holistic eczema treatments support the skin with plant-based, alcohol-free ingredients that restore skin barrier function, replenish lost moisture, and alleviate discomfort.
Contact Dermatitis
Irritants and allergens can trigger an inflammatory response known as contact dermatitis and symptoms such as inflammation, redness, and itchiness. Harsh skincare ingredients like alcohol can increase this response, causing a more pronounced outbreak that requires medical attention.
If your skin is compromised, choose only hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, gentle ingredients, and avoid alcohol-based products.
Hyperpigmentation
Alcohol can worsen hyperpigmentation and make dark spots more prominent by weakening the barrier and exposing the skin to harmful UV radiation.
Alcohol tolerance varies across different skin types. Darker skin types are typically less tolerant and may develop post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). This condition occurs when the skin produces excess melanin in response to an infection, a bug bite, or an external irritant, such as alcohol in skincare products.
Photoaging
Alcohol-induced dehydration accelerates aging, while barrier disruption exposes the skin to harmful environmental factors like UV rays, pollutants, and toxic chemicals. Prematurely aged skin becomes rough, creased, and wrinkled. Ultraviolet radiation triggers faster collagen and elastin breakdown in a process known as photoaging or solar damage.
What Are the Best Alcohol-Free Skincare Products?
A reputable dermatologist can help you select premium alcohol-free skincare products suitable for your skin type and concern. Our Vibrant Skin experts have carefully selected the following:
Vibrant Cleanse – Biome Enzyme Cleanser for all skin types
Vibrant Cleanse is a blend of soothing pineapple bromelain and prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics that restore balance to the skin microbiome and promote a vibrant complexion. This calming exfoliating face wash gently removes dead skin, balances oil production, improves skin tone, and aids in healing acne scars. It also strengthens skin immunity and encourages the production of antimicrobial peptides necessary for healthy skin flora.
Note: Learn more about the importance of prebiotic skincare and its health benefits.
Vibrant Elevate – Cucumber Photodynamic Toner
Vibrant Elevate is an antioxidant powerhouse infused with cucumber, matcha green tea, chlorophyll, spin trap, Tonka bean prebiotic, and Nectaria lithops. It increases the benefits of red-light therapy, helps combat free radical damage, and increases vitamin D production. Its potent anti-inflammatory, soothing, and hydrating capacity supports the skin’s natural microbiome, restores moisture barrier, and enhances UV and blue light protection.
Desert Vibe Serum – Moisture Boosting Serum
Desert Vibe is a nourishing serum packed with beta-glucan, Centella, neurophroline, and prickly pear, which work harmoniously to regenerate the skin, boost skin immunity, and promote optimal hydration. Its reparative ingredients strengthen the barrier, relieve stress symptoms, brighten the complexion, and stimulate scar tissue remodeling, leaving the skin revitalized and refreshed.
Vibrant Defense – Blemish Clarifying Serum
Vibrant Defense is a vitamin A serum ideal for easily irritated and blemish-prone skin. It minimizes the appearance of pores, reduces irritation, and enhances detoxification thanks to retinal and bakuchiol. Its proprietary ingredients, BioFense and Black BeeOme, support the skin’s microbiome by promoting beneficial bacteria while inhibiting the growth of harmful microbes.
Vibrant Mud – Clarifying Clay Mask
Vibrant Mud mask features an organic mix of bentonite clay, kaolin clay, and activated charcoal that unclogs the pores and detoxifies the skin. This clarifying clay mask is enriched with calming botanical extracts and probiotics that restore the skin’s natural microbiome, moisturize the barrier, and reduce irritation.
How to Choose Alcohol-Free Skincare Products?
Follow these step-by-step instructions to find the best alcohol-free skincare products:
- Check the label – Familiarize yourself with different types of alcohols to distinguish between beneficial fatty alcohols and damaging alcohols, such as ethyl alcohol, denatured alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, and benzyl alcohol.
- Look for other skin-friendly ingredients – Choose moisturizing ingredients, humectants, and emollients that preserve the barrier and prevent dehydration, such as ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
- Choose “sensitive skin” formulations – Products for sensitive skin are free from harsh ingredients like alcohols, paraben, sulfates, and fragrances.
- Read the certifications – Organic, natural, and microbiome-friendly skincare products help maintain skin integrity with gentle, plant-based, and non-toxic ingredients.
- Look for alcohol-free claims – Carefully read the ingredient list on packages labeled “alcohol-free” to ensure the product contains no alcohol.
- Consult a skin expert – Discuss different “alcohol-free” solutions with your dermatologist to determine the treatment suitable for your skin type and concern, especially if you have rosacea, acne, or eczema.
Conclusion
Eliminating harmful ingredients is the first step in achieving long-term skin health. Focus on organic, alcohol-free formulations to support your skin and alleviate discomfort. Carefully read the label to ensure the product is alcohol-free and gentle, especially if your skin is compromised, sensitive, or eczema-prone. Find a skin-friendly alternative with all-natural ingredients that will strengthen the barrier and nourish the skin inside and out.
If you want to learn more about harmful and beneficial skincare ingredients, contact our Vibrant Skin team of professionals.
