Beauty Bulletin / Let’s Talk About Alcohol in Skin Care: Friend or Foe?

When you hear “alcohol” in skincare, do you instantly picture dry, flaky skin? You’re not alone! It’s a common skincare myth that all alcohols are bad news. But here’s the real tea: not all alcohols are created equal—and some are actually superstars in your skincare lineup. Let’s break it down and clear up the confusion. 

The Bad Rep: Drying Alcohols
Yes, some alcohols can be drying. We’re talking about low-molecular-weight alcohols like isopropyl alcohol or ethanol—the types often used in hand sanitizers. These can strip the skin of natural oils and leave it feeling parched and irritated (Draelos, 2018). So, if your skincare is packed with these, you might want to rethink your routine. 

The Good Guys: Fatty Alcohols
Enter the heroes of hydration: fatty alcohols like cetylalcohol, stearyl alcohol, and cetearyl alcohol. These aren’t the harsh, drying types—they’re actually moisturizing and gentle on the skin. They are often added to creams and lotions to enhance texture, stabilize properties and provide skin-conditioning benefits.  

Used in well-formulated skincare products, fatty alcohols help to:

• Lock in moisture
• Soften and smooth the skin
• Support the skin’s natural protective barrier
• Reduce water loss (hello, dewy glow!)

It’s All About the Formulation
As we shared in last month’s All About Ingredients post, ingredients don’t work in isolation—it’s the formulation that matters. The context in which an ingredient is used determines its role, purpose, and skin impact.

At Skin Script, when you see “alcohol” in our ingredient lists, it’s there for a reason. Some of our products use a type called Special Denatured Alcohol (SD alcohol) because it helps deliver key ingredients into the skin for better results.

What Alcohols Actually Do in Skincare
Alcohols can play multiple roles in your favorite products, such as:

• Antibacterial agents
• Astringents to tighten pores
• Solubilizers to blend ingredients
• Emollients that smooth and hydrate

So, before writing off a product just because it contains “alcohol,” look closer. Learn what type of alcohol it is, and how it’s being used.

Bottom Line: Not All Alcohols Are Created Equal
Understanding the science behind your skincare helps you make smarter choices for your skin health. So don’t let the word “alcohol” scare you—some of them are your skin’s best friends.