Helpers (pH, solvents)

Alcohol denat.

INCI: ALCOHOL DENAT. · also Denatured alcohol, SD alcohol

Drinking alcohol, made undrinkable.

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C₂H₆O46.07 g/mol

Ethanol: the denaturant added in small amounts is not shown

oxygencarbonhydrogen

3D shape from PubChem 702

All products8.2%

In sunscreens34%

In deodorants28%

In face moisturisers16%

1,208 of 14,784 products with a full ingredient list in Open Beauty Facts; No. 32 of all the names found on their labels.

Ethanol, the alcohol in drinks, with a little of another substance added to make it unfit to drink. The bitter denatonium benzoate works at just 0.0006%.
3 sourcesHide

Alcohol Denat. is the generic term used by the cosmetics industry to describe denatured alcohol.[1] US Cosmetic Ingredient Review expert panel · 2008 · open source
Ethanol with a small amount of an adulterant added so as to be unfit for use as a beverage.[2] PubChem (US National Library of Medicine) · open source
Denatonium Benzoate is sufficiently bitter that it is an effective denaturant at only 0.0006%.[1] US Cosmetic Ingredient Review expert panel · 2008 · open source
Not to be confused with fatty alcohols such as cetearyl alcohol: cetyl alcohol, for one, is a white solid.
SourceHide

white solid/odourless[3] PubChem (US National Library of Medicine) · open source

It helps other ingredients get into the skin (a penetration enhancer). That can help an active work, and it also lets in unwanted substances more easily.
Well establishedskin2 sourcesHide

Topically applied, ethanol can act as a penetration enhancer.[1] US Cosmetic Ingredient Review expert panel · 2008 · open source
topically applied ethanol acts as a skin penetration enhancer and may facilitate the transdermal absorption of xenobiotics[5] Study · 2008 · open source
For comparison: alcohol hand rubs irritate the skin less than washing with soap (a detergent).
Good evidenceskinSourceHide

Alcohol-based hand rubs cause less skin irritation than hand washing[6] Study · 2007 · open source

It can dry the skin’s surface. In patch tests, alcohols lowered skin hydration but did not damage the barrier or cause redness.
Good evidenceSourceHide

We found no significant change in skin barrier or erythema induced by the alcohols in the patch tests, whereas skin hydration decreased significantly.[6] Study · 2007 · open source
On skin that is already irritated it can sting or burn. This is not an allergy, and it does not harm the skin further.
Good evidenceSourceHide

If the skin is pre-irritated, e.g. by detergents or water, alcohols can cause a burning sensation which is, however, not an allergic reaction and does not further harm the skin.[7] Study · 2008 · open source
Some people react more, especially those whose bodies break alcohol down slowly (aldehyde dehydrogenase deficiency).
Some evidenceSourceHide

Ethanol use is associated with skin irritation or contact dermatitis, especially in humans with an aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) deficiency.[5] Study · 2008 · open source
No evidence so far links using it on the skin with skin cancer.
Some evidenceSourceHide

So far there is a lack of evidence to associate topical ethanol use with an increased risk of skin cancer.[5] Study · 2008 · open source

On the skin’s surface, where it evaporates; on the way it helps other ingredients into the skin.

Well establishedSourceHide

Topically applied, ethanol can act as a penetration enhancer.[1] US Cosmetic Ingredient Review expert panel · 2008 · open source

No EU limit: it is not on the regulation’s lists of banned or restricted substances, preservatives or UV filters.
How we checkedHide

We searched Annexes II to VI of the EU regulation (consolidated text of 18 May 2026): no entry.open the list

Not on the FDA’s list of prohibited or restricted cosmetic ingredients. In the US, cosmetics and their ingredients (other than colour additives) don’t need FDA approval before sale.
SourceHide

Under U.S. law, cosmetic products and ingredients, other than color additives, do not need FDA approval before they go on the market[8] US Food and Drug Administration · open source
We searched the FDA’s list of prohibited and restricted cosmetic ingredients: no entry.open the list
The US expert panel found it safe with the usual denaturants (such as denatonium benzoate); data were not enough for a few others (quassin, brucine).
2 sourcesHide

The Panel considered the available data for Denatonium Benzoate and SD Alcohol 40-B to be sufficient to support the safety of these ingredients in cosmetics.[1] US Cosmetic Ingredient Review expert panel · 2008 · open source
The available data, however, were not sufficient to support the safety of Quassin, Brucine, and Brucine Sulfate[1] US Cosmetic Ingredient Review expert panel · 2008 · open source

Checked against these sources on 4 November 2026. Spot a mistake? Tell us.