There are many different types of alcohol, so saying that it is good or bad for your skin, without knowing exactly which alcohol, is inaccurate.
28
March, 2018
The bad alcohols we avoid
The low molecular weight alcohols – ethyl, ethanol, isopropyl, benzyl and denatured (SD alcohol/alcohol denat) – are drying on the skin and disrupt the skins natural protective barrier against environmental damage. These alcohols help the penetration of active ingredients within a formula, however at the same time, damaging the very skin that they are applied to, causing a host of other problems.
Whilst a small amount of alcohol in a formula can be ok, it’s difficult to know what % is actually used, and therefore in our opinion, these types of alcohol are best avoided altogether.
Regular toners – targeted mainly towards teens and acne prone skin -contain these types of alcohols that dry out the skin and in effect make the sebaceous glands work overtime to producing more oils (the skins natural protect surface layer) with much getting trapped along the way, causing more breakouts – a vicious cycle.
The good alcohols we use
The fatty alcohols – cetearyl, cetyl and stearyl – are vegetable derived and do not dry out the skin nor disturb the skins natural acid balance. These alcohols are added to a formula for their emollient and occlusive properties (helping to fix moisture onto the skins surface), while imparting a smooth, velvety feel to the product. They are solid wax particles – similar to beeswax.
We only use certified ‘sustainable round table’ wax in our products and we believe a toner should…
- be PH balanced to respect the skins natural acid mantle (natural protection against bacteria).
- remove impurities without disturbing the skins natural lipid barrier.
- have hydrating and anti-inflammatory properties and a humectant to fix moisture onto the skins surface.
We do not use bad-alcohols in our Rosewater Hydrating Spritz & Toner, or any of our products.
