I've heard some derms and facialists argue about its place in skincare and whether it can be beneficial (perhaps in the case where acne and extreme drying is necessary; this is usually where the docs stand), or to be avoided at all costs (a lot of facialists despise alcohol).
Okay so at Future Derm, in an article titled, "The Most Misunderstood Skincare Ingredient: Alcohol," DERMAdoctor founder Dr. Audrey Kunin, claims that not all alcohols are dry and irritating.
In fact, according to Kunin, there are seven dense alcohols--cetyl alcohol, cetearyl alcohol, cetostearyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol 40, C12-15 alcohols, stearyl alcohol and lanolin alcohol--that are not drying or irritating. Instead, these agents are used in products as emulsifiers, thickening agents and stabilizers, allowing skin care products to have silky-smooth formulations. In addition, lanolin alcohol and stearyl alcohols also act as moisturizing factors, so not only are they not drying, they are moisturizing.
Dr. Hauschka, known for his tree huggin' ways, is also a booze hound.
Alcohol: A Certified Organic food-grade ethyl alcohol (ethanol) from grain, fruit or vegetable. Many plants are extracted in alcohol because it extracts the widest variety of plant constituents. Alcohol also serves as a natural emulsifier, preservative and carrier, helping ingredients penetrate the skin. Alcohol is not drying to the skin when part of a carefully formulated Dr.Hauschka composition. Our alcohol is derived from a fermentation and distillation process and is gluten-free.
Who knew? So what's up with all the anti-alcohol propaganda out there? The confusion stems from being warned that alcohol can be an irritant for sensitive skin. So the general rule of thumb is that the more you tend toward irritation and redness, the more you should steer away from harsh ingredients like alcohol, menthol, abrasive exfoliants (walnut shells are not to be used on your face, ever!) and strong peels.
And um, if you're seriously pro-alcohol, Lush's Ocean Salt Vodka Margarita scrub is almost as fun as Pabst soap.
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