Dangers of Denatured Alcohol
You asked - we answered!
Many times as our clients come in or when we are out and about, we get asked great questions about our jobs - or maybe something specific a person has been dealing with when it comes to their wellness journey.
We thought it would be fun to start writing these down and taking time to answer them in a group format (email, social media lives, etc.) since we all know that if one person asks, many more are likely wondering the same thing!
So here we go with the "ask the expert" forum - enjoy, loves:)
(and if you have any questions you'd like to add to the mix, hit the reply button and send it over so we can add it to future posts!)
xo
Brooke
WHAT IS:
DENATURED ALCOHOL?
DEFINED
Denatured alcohol is ethanol that has additives to make it poisonous, bad-tasting, foul-smelling, or nauseating to discourage recreational consumption. It is sometimes dyed so that it can be identified visually. Pyridine, methanol, or both can be added to make denatured alcohol poisonous, and denatonium can be added to make it bitter.
Denatured alcohol is used as a solvent and as fuel for alcohol burners and camping stoves. Because of the diversity of industrial uses for denatured alcohol, hundreds of additives and denaturing methods have been used. The main additive has traditionally been 10% methanol, methyl alcohol, giving rise to the term "methylated spirits". Other typical additives include isopropyl alcohol, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, and methyl isobutyl ketone.
In the United States, mixtures sold as denatured alcohol often have much greater percentages of methanol and can be less than 50% ethanol. (remember this for later).
de·na·ture /dēˈnāCHər/
verb
past tense: denatured; past participle: denatured
take away or alter the natural qualities of.
"This system denatures education"
make (alcohol) unfit for drinking by the addition of toxic or foul-tasting substances.
Biochemistry : destroy the characteristic properties of (a protein or other biological macromolecule) by heat, acidity, or other effects that disrupt its molecular conformation.
WHY DENATURED
It helps dry skin out and gives it a matte look.
It doesn't cost as much.
Because it is "denatured" it falls under different tax categories so the person/manufacturer of the product doesn't have to pay as much for the product and also doesn't have to pay out certain taxes while purchasing the ingredient.
Food for thought, eh?
OTHER PRODUCTS IT'S IN
Cleaning supplies, oven de-greasers, paint remover, household products, pharmaceuticals, camping stove products.
WARNING LABEL
Don't drink it, highly flammable, poisonous
How You'll See It Listed
(go ahead and check your products)
Alcohol, Alcohol Denat., Ethanol, Methanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Isopropyl Alcohol, SD Alcohol
Denatured Alcohol and Your Skin
These types of volatile alcohols give products a quick-drying finish, immediately degrease skin, and feel weightless on the skin, so it’s easy to see their appeal, especially for those with oily skin. When you see these names of alcohol listed among the first six ingredients on an ingredient label, without question they will aggravate and be cruel to the skin. Consequences include dryness, disruption of the surface of skin's microbiome (the balance of good/bad bacteria on the skin surface) and barrier (the latter being especially bad for skin), and a strain on how skin replenishes, renews, and rejuvenates itself. Alcohol just weakens everything about the skin.
Not All Alcohols Are Bad
Just to be 100% clear, there are other types of alcohols, known as fatty alcohols, which are absolutely non-irritating and can be exceptionally beneficial for the skin. Examples you’ll see on ingredient labels include cetyl, stearyl, and Cetearyl alcohol. All of these are good ingredients for dry skin, and in small amounts fine for any skin type as they give a pleasing texture and help keep ingredients stable in products. It’s important to discern these skin-friendly forms of alcohol from the problematic types of alcohol.
Likewise, you may have heard that alcohol is a good ingredient because it helps other ingredients like retinol and vitamin C absorb into the skin more effectively. Although it’s true that it does enhance the absorption of ingredients, the alcohol also destroys the skin’s surface and the very substances that keep your skin healthy over the long term. There are certainly other, gentler ways to get good ingredients into the skin, without damaging its outer layer, an issue that causes more problems than benefits.
But my skin is so oily without it
If your skin is oily, it can be tempting to use alcohol-based products because they provide an immediate matte finish, essentially de-greasing the "oil slick." The irony of using alcohol-based products to control oily skin is that the damage from alcohol can lead to an increase in bumps and enlarged pores.
And get this: Alcohol can actually increase oiliness, so the immediate de-greasing effect is eventually counteracted, prompting your oily skin to look even shinier.
Remember above when I mentioned Methanol?
The United States tends to use denatured alcohol that has higher methanol levels in it. Methanol can also degrease the skin, which may cause dermatitis, a general term that describes a skin irritation that usually involves itchy, dry skin or a rash on swollen, reddened skin. Or it may cause the skin to blister, ooze, crust, or flake off.
Symptoms of acute methanol exposure may include headache, weakness, drowsiness, nausea, difficult breathing, drunkenness, eye irritation, blurred vision, loss of consciousness, and possibly death (obvious doom and gloom from the interwebs - but still food for thought).
Hand Sanitizer
The sole exception to alcohol use on the skin is in the case of hand sanitizers. Such products require at least 60% alcohol (ethanol) in order to most effectively kill illness-causing viruses and germs. Soap and water are preferred for hand hygiene throughout the day, but in the absence of convenient access to this method, using a hand sanitizer is the next best thing. Exposure to alcohol isn’t ideal, but unlike alcohol in facial skincare, alcohol-based hand sanitizers serve a necessary health-protecting purpose.
Is It Safe
You asked the expert and this esti votes: NO
This type of alcohol creates more damage than benefit to the skin.
The benefit of this ingredient is for the product and the manufacturer and therefore it does not get the stamp of approval.
I've said this before to many: if a lotion essentially dries out the skin, it makes you think "wow my skin is so dry". It doesn't make you think "I wonder what's in it". So you end up applying more - therefore unknowingly perpetuating the circle.
Alternatives That Work For Me
Dry Skin: lacks oil production
Dehydrated Skin: lacks water
Wisconsin Winter Skin: lacks both
I use body oil on my dry winter skin. Apply it fresh out of the shower while skin is still damp and give it some time to absorb (brush your teeth and apply your nighttime skincare routine while waiting prior to putting on your jammies).
I aim to drink at least 1/2 of my body weight of water (in ounces). Simple calculation: If you're 150 pounds you should be drinking at least 75 ounces of water every day. Also, avoid dehydrating drinks like booze, coffees, and teas when possible.
I search for foods rich in healthy fats, such as salmon, avocado, egg, etc. Pinterest has provided us a list here for your convenience. While I'll always eat carbs (because not all carbs are bad) I do aim for a low carb diet, when possible, so as not to accelerate glycation in my skin. (another day another topic)
So if you've made it this far - thanks for staying with me!
I hope this article is found to be useful.
Feel free to forward to a friend if you feel called to do so.
As always, reach out if you have questions and stay
tuned for more from the Ask the Expert panel!
xo
Brooke