Denatured Alcohol
Denatured alcohol is a form of ethanol that has been made undrinkable by adding bittering agents. In UK beauty products it is commonly used as a quick-drying solvent, astringent and preservative in everything from toners and setting sprays to hairsprays and nail polish.
How it works in skincare
In cosmetics and skincare, denatured alcohol acts as a fast-evaporating solvent that helps dissolve other ingredients, improves product texture and speeds up drying time. It also functions as a mild astringent on the skin’s surface, helping to degrease and create a clean base for makeup or further skincare steps, while contributing to the overall stability and shelf-life of the formula.
Key benefits
- Helps products dry quickly on skin and hair
- Dissolves oils and sebum for a matte finish
- Improves the spreadability of formulas
- Enhances the longevity of hairsprays and setting sprays
- Acts as a preservative booster in water-based products
- Gives a weightless, non-greasy feel to toners and mists
Best for
oily skin, combination skin, acne-prone skin
Where it comes from
While ethanol can be produced from the fermentation of plant sugars found in grains, sugar cane or corn, the version used in cosmetics is synthetically denatured with bitter additives to prevent consumption.