Uh... it's just basic chemistry. Alcohol is used in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals all the time.
That's true.
There is a lot of plastic in our oceans killing marine life, but plastic is still being manufactured, even after the bid to get rid of it.
However, we aren't discussing whether something is used, or not, but whether or not the concentration of alcohol in the product isn't high enough to be harmful.
Otherwise, we could use this as a reference.
14. Alcohol
Alcohol is a common solvent in skincare products. It is helpful in absorbing the products better and hence, a great fit for certain creams and lotions.
But alcohol is a toxic skincare ingredient. Alcohol (drying alcohol) in skincare can leave the skin dry and flaky. It disrupts the skin renewal process. However, not all alcohols are bad for your skin. Fatty alcohols are derived from natural fats and oils and are great moisturizing agents.
Aside from
the concentration level, the
kinds of alcohol used is a factor also.
Is Alcohol in Skincare Bad? We Asked Dermatolgists
Skin that feels dry and depleted after toner, moisturizer, or a face wash is confusing - like you've just fallen for false advertising. The goal with skincare is never to feel
worse over time, so what gives?
The culprit may be alcohol, but not just any alcohol - volatile alcohols that actually damage the skin's barrier.
As it turns out, not all alcohols are created equal when it comes to skincare.
While simple alcohols are generally best avoided, some alcohols (particularly fatty alcohols) are actually beneficial for the skin.
The safety of topical applications of ethanol is still a matter of debate, and there appears to be scientific evidence pointing in both directions. On the one hand, researchers came to the conclusion that the range of damage caused to the skin by the alcohol cannot and should not be ignored, although the deleterious effects of ethanol exposure on the skin may pale into insignificance compared to its effects on the liver, central nervous system, and other body systems after ingestion [
3]. On the other hand, scientific studies attributed ethanol for topical uses as safe
per se [
1,
4-
7]. However, there appears to be at least some evidence, including epidemiological data, about mouthwash use, and data from animal experiments showing that ethanol on the skin or inside the oral cavity may cause harm if used chronically. Evaluation according to EU cosmetics legislation [
8] and other acts about chemical safety should consider the chronic toxic and carcinogenic potential of ethanol. In this article, the safety of topical uses of ethanol will be evaluated by a critical review of the scientific literature.
This is informative.
It helps to know that
fatty alcohols - those made from natural fats, make a difference.
People are generally more satisfied when they know the source of their information, and can review it for themselves. Just hearing someone make a claim, does not mean much to people who don't just take whatever they hear, and go with it.
At least, I am one that feels that way.
The thing is about some products, they never tell you the concentration level of the contents of their products.
Some probably lie, anyway, so sometimes a person is still in the dark.
That's why I always try to find natural. If I can't, I may do without.
