WHY SHOULD I AVOID ALCOHOL ON MY SKIN?

The ingredients to avoid in your skincare products are listed as; SD alcohol, denatured, ethanol, isopropyl, methanol and benzyl.

Isopropyl Alcohol – what is it?

Isopropyl alcohol, also known as isopropanol, is used in products from hand sanitisers and cleansers, and from aftershave lotions to make-up. It has the ability to make a thick cream feel weightless and can provide a cooling effect on the skin. Alcohol may be used to tighten pores and tone the skin.

Alcohol can be used to help other ingredients penetrate the skin. Such as retinol and vitamin C. However, this is achieved by breaking down the skin’s barrier and destroying the elements that keep it healthy over time. As it lets good ingredients in, it also allows access to those less-desirable types!

Why is it best avoided on the skin?

Isopropyl alcohol may be used as an astringent and an anti-foaming agent in skincare products. However, not only does it lack nourishing qualities, it also dries and damages the skin. This alcohol actually strips your skin of the healthy oils it needs to stay hydrated and youthful. It also throws sebum production completely off balance.

For example; if you are prone to an oily skin, the alcohol has a short-term degreasing effect, but it stimulates oil production at the base of the pore, making the problem even worse.

Why this is not a good ingredient for acne?

Unfortunately, there are many people, mainly teenagers, who use products containing this ingredient. Alcohol can kill the bacteria responsible for causing acne, which is why it is used. Essentially, it’s a disinfectant. However, it is also drying and, over time, can backfire by worsening the condition of the skin. This is due to the damage caused by the product actually increasing the acne-causing bacteria on the skin.

Research has shown that milder alternatives have a more positive effect on acne control. Instead of alcohol, try products containing witch hazel, tea tree and/or lavender, which all have antiseptic properties, such as Pevonia’s ProCorrective Clear-Control Acne/Blemish Skin Line.