Alcohol

Rating:good

INCI name

  • ALCOHOL,

Alternative names

  • Alkohol,
  • Ethanol,
  • Ethanolum,
  • Aesculus,
  • Bio-Alkohol,
  • Organic Alcohol,

Origin

  • synthetic,

Definition

No information available

INCI function

  • Solvent,
  • Preservative,
  • Antifoaming,
  • astringent,
  • masking,
  • viscosity regulating,

Substance category

No information available

Characteristics

  • Refreshes the skin
  • dissolves other substances
  • Disinfecting
  • Takes away fat from the skin
  • Can dry out the skin
  • Cleans the skin
  • Prevents the development of microorganisms in cosmetics
  • approved for certified natural cosmetics
  • Suppresses foam during manufacturing or reduces the tendency of finished products to generate foam
  • thickens the skin surface
  • reduces or inhibits the basic odour or taste of the product
  • increases or decreases the viscosity of cosmetic products

CAS-No.

  • 64-17-5,

EINECS/EILINCS-No.

  • 200-578-6,

Studies, literature and statements

Kosmetik Lexikon, page 33

Good solute for many materials. Ethanol in higher concentrations (over 30%) cracks the skin significantly due to its water-absorbing effect. It is an important basic ingredient in cosmetics due to its toning and refreshing effects.

Springer Lexikon Kosmetik, page 20

For disinfection, preservation, as an odorous substance, solvent.

Kosmetik-Inhaltsstoffe A-Z, page 59

Solute, takes away fat, cleaning. Can dry out the skin.

Körperpflegekunde und Kosmetik, page 142

The mixing ratios of water and ethanol are provided in volume percent. Ethanol >20% acts as a preservative, ethanol >70% acts as a disinfectant. For application in the cosmetic field, concentrations of up to 30% are used, for example, in facial tonics for oily, blemished skin. Since alcohol is taxed in Germany, it comes in different qualities and price categories.

Wörterbuch der Kosmetik, page 11

Produced from sugar or sugary substances through fermentation using oat and/or bacteria. Solvent and base for shaving and face lotions, perfumes, and ointments.

Körperpflegekunde und Kosmetik, page 290

Ethanol in aqueous solutions improves the dissolving power of lipophilic substances and with more than a 20% total concentration, the preparation is stable against germs and disinfects the skin! Ethanol (>10%) acts dehydrating and irritating on the skin; therefore, only hair, scalps, and oily and blemished skin should come in contact with it. For many other skin types, it is usually disadvantageous.

Product examples