Ingredient · Updated
Alcohol Denat.
Found in 30 productsSee all
What is Alcohol Denat.?
Alcohol Denat., short for denatured alcohol, is ethanol that has additives to make it unsuitable for drinking. Typically, it's produced by fermenting sugars and adding chemicals like methanol or isopropanol to deter consumption.
This ingredient is commonly used in personal care products for its antiseptic properties and ability to dissolve other ingredients. While it effectively evaporates quickly, leaving no residue, its impact on skin health is debated. Some research suggests it can be drying or irritating to the skin, especially in high concentrations.
Consumers should know that seeing Alcohol Denat. on a label does not necessarily imply the product is harmful; however, those with sensitive skin may want to be cautious of frequency and concentration.
Commonly found in: Deodorant, Sunscreen, Fragrances, Makeup
What to watch
- May cause skin irritation or dryness, particularly in sensitive individuals.
Benefits
- Acts as a preservative, extending product shelf life.
- Helps dissolve other ingredients, enhancing product formulation.
Alcohol Denat. is approved for use in cosmetics and personal care products, with regulations ensuring it is safe and effective for consumer use.
Some studies indicate it can dry out or irritate the skin, though it is generally considered safe in the concentrations used in cosmetics.
Denatured alcohol is not derived from animals and is typically acceptable to vegan consumers.
Scout's take
Heavily flagged ingredient class under Scout's doctrine.
The case against
It can be drying to the skin if used in high concentrations.
from the analysis of Sukin DeodorantThe case for
Provides a quick-drying effect and helps to dissolve other ingredients.
from the analysis of Sukin DeodorantMore from Scout's analyses
Standard formulation ingredient — neither beneficial nor harmful at typical use.
from the analysis of Secret Outlast Completely Clean Clear Gel AntiperspirantAll 30 products with Alcohol Denat.
+ 6 more products in the Scout app
Where Alcohol Denat. shows up
- Fragrances 23 products
- Sunscreen 4 products
- Deodorant 2 products
- Makeup 1 product
Higher-scoring picks without Alcohol Denat.
Products from the same categories whose analyzed ingredient list does not include Alcohol Denat., scoring 80 or above.
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