Is alcohol in cosmetic products harmful?

Alcohol is an ingredient in many cosmetic products and has become a controversial topic over time. The use of alcohol in men's skincare products can lead to confusion as not all alcohols are created equal. It is important to distinguish between different types of alcohol in relation to grooming products as they have different effects on the skin. Below we explain these differences in more detail and discuss the reasons why alcohol is used in skincare products and what to look out for in order to choose the right skincare.

Differentiation between alcohols

A basic distinction is made between two types of alcohols - fatty alcohols and ethanol.

Fatty alcohols are a group of alcohols that are often found in skincare products. They differ significantly from ethanol, which is found in alcoholic beverages. Fatty alcohols, such as cetearyl alcohol, are usually oily substances obtained from natural sources. These alcohols have emulsifying properties and help to mix the various ingredients in a cream or lotion. They are therefore not drying for the skin, but on the contrary, they help to retain moisture and make the skin supple.

In contrast, ethanol is a solvent with disinfectant properties. As a result, it is often used as a preservative in the cosmetics industry. However, in excessive concentrations, ethanol has the potential to dry out the skin.

Why alcohol is used in cosmetics

As we have just seen, it is important to distinguish between different groups of alcohols. Nevertheless, even small amounts of ethanol can have benefits and do not necessarily have to be harmful to the skin. The reasons for using alcohol in men's skincare products are listed below:

Blendability and texture: fatty alcohols are used to blend the ingredients in creams and lotions together and improve the consistency of the products.

Moisture barrier protection: Fatty alcohols are generally well tolerated and can help to protect the skin's moisture barrier.

Cleansing and sanitising: Ethanol can help to cleanse the skin of excess oil and impurities. For certain skin problems, such as acne, the antimicrobial effect of alcohol can be useful.

Shelf life: Using alcohol in the right concentration can extend the shelf life of men's skincare products or ingredients.

However, it is crucial to consider the concentration and type of alcohol in cosmetic products. Too much ethanol can dry out and irritate the skin, especially for people with sensitive skin. It is therefore advisable to avoid skincare products with a high alcohol content.

Alcohol in Jungkraut products

Ethanol can only be found in Jungkraut's natural face cream. There it serves as a preservative for some active ingredients and therefore only occurs in very small quantities (0.45%), so that it has no negative effect on the skin in the end product.

Overall, it can be summarised that the use of alcohol in cosmetic products should be viewed in a differentiated manner. On the one hand, it depends on the type of alcohol and its concentration in the formulation. In very small quantities, ethanol can have a positive effect in men's skin care products due to its preservative properties, without having a negative effect on the skin.