In many cosmetic products, the list of ingredients includes Alcohol Denat. This name immediately worries those who care about their health and choose cosmetics wisely. Should I be afraid of this component, which causes associations with alcohol? What are the consequences of using caring and decorative cosmetics as a part? There are answers to all these questions that will be submitted immediately.
Alcohol Denat - what is it?
In the manufacture of cosmetics and perfumes, this component appears as a degreasing agent, antifoam agent, solvent, and also a substance that effectively inhibits the growth of bacterial flora.
Alcohol Denat is a derivative of alcohol. In fact, this is ethyl alcohol, which has certain characteristics. It is worth noting that ethanol (ethyl alcohol) is widely used in drinks, medicines, and fuel. Speaking of cosmetics, it can be found in bath products (gels and foams), in caring cosmetics for the face, in the means for the oral cavity.
Chemical structure of the substance
Having ascertained what translation Alcohol Denat has, the chemical nature of this component becomes clearer. The name translates as "denatured alcohol." Accordingly, Alcohol Denat in cosmetics for the face and for other parts of the body is ethyl alcohol that has undergone a certain purification.
The molecule of the purified substance has the same components as the original: hydrogen and oxygen, connected by certain bonds. It is a monohydric alcohol with a small molecular weight.
Production method
Alcohol is produced through fermentation. The microflora living in the substrate converts organic substances into alcohol compounds in the course of their life. As a nutrient medium, plant material is used - cereals, potatoes, reeds. On an industrial scale, ethanol is produced by chemical synthesis through hydration.
A denaturing agent is added to the solution during alcohol conversion, which imparts a bitter taste to the product. And this is perhaps the only organoleptic difference between denatured alcohol and ethanol.
It should be noted the fact about the Alcohol Denat component, that it is an authorized substance in perfumery as well as in the manufacture of cosmetics. Most products use exclusively rectified alcohol from food raw materials. Thus, it has nothing to do with denatured substance known in the post-Soviet space, which has a technical origin.
The peculiarity of Alcohol Denat is that it is a substance derived from food raw materials. As a denaturing agent in perfumes, bitrex, which is harmless to the body, is added to ethanol.
As you know, alcohols are volatile compounds. The denaturation process transforms the spatial bonds in the ethanol molecule, so that its volatility is reduced. In addition, this process is regulated and monitored at the legislative level in a number of countries.
Why do I need Alcohol Denat?
So, Alcohol Denat in cosmetics - what is it? Such a substance performs a number of functions:
- The binding of nutrients in the composition of cosmetic products and their transfer to the place of use.
- Extraction of nutrients from herbs and flowers.
- It is a good preservative.
Only some types of methylated spirits are approved for use in the manufacture of health and beauty products. Conscientious manufacturers indicate it in the composition with the prefix SD and a numerical letter designation, which indicates the origin of the substance and purity. For example, an SD (Specially Denaturated) prefix and 23-A encodings may be added to the list. For SD Alcohol Denat, translation into Russian sounds like specially denatured alcohol. It is used to comply with the production technology of the product in which it is found.
Is denatured alcohol dangerous?
To date, the use of a denaturing additive - diethylphthylate, is prohibited at the legislative level. This admixture also caused the toxic properties of denatured alcohol, glorified in the decade before last.
The toxicity of the substance in certified cosmetics and perfumes, as well as skin and hair care products, is practically absent. Such alcohol is of natural origin, and is also added in low dosages. Alcohol of technical origin can cause premature aging of the skin, dry skin and irritation. The toxic effect of a technical substance is caused by impurities of aldehydes in the composition, the formation of which accompanies the technological process for the manufacture of alcohol, not intended for contact with the human body.
Human exposure to cosmetics
Alcohol is a highly volatile compound, so when it comes into contact with the skin, it binds to water molecules on its surface and drains the skin. Alcohol in cosmetics containing retinol (vitamin A) can contribute to its breakdown before it reaches its destination, respectively, the effectiveness of the drug is significantly reduced. The lack of moisture and nutrients in the skin cells leads to premature aging of the integument and a decrease in turgor.
Alcohol Denat for hair and skin is neutral only for owners of oily coverings, for which a slight drying is desired.
The degree of influence on the body from the standpoint of science
In the course of research, a number of effects of denatured alcohol in cosmetics were discovered:
- Destructive effect on skin immunity. The high reactivity of ethanol causes its aggressive reaction with the skin, as a result of which the protective properties are reduced.
- The spread of infections increases. Means with antiseptic properties, which are provided due to the presence of ethanol in the composition, can destroy the lipid cover of the skin, which prevents the growth of pathogenic bacteria. Due to this effect, the bacterial microflora can freely spread in the upper layers of the skin, and the degree of destructive exposure to ultraviolet rays also increases.
- It is noteworthy that Alcohol Denat is a substance that, with prolonged exposure, can cause destruction of cell membranes.
- The ability of alcohol to conduct beneficial compounds inside the skin can also have negative manifestations. If there are carcinogens and allergens in the cosmetic product, their penetration is also accelerated. This can manifest itself in the appearance of skin reactions, allergies.
- There are frequent cases of focal rashes when using cosmetics for skin care. This is due to the fact that surfactants in the composition used enhance the irritating effect of alcohol.
Tips for choosing safe cosmetics
The property of alcohol to dry the surface with which it is in contact is due to its chemical structure. Therefore, it is not possible to level it. The choice of a conscious cosmetics buyer who asks the right questions, for example, Alcohol Denat - what is it, what is the composition, it must happen with knowledge of a safe percentage.
So, in most cosmetics there is alcohol in an amount of 20% or more of the total volume. This concentration is more likely to cause negative reactions from the skin, hair. The most gentle is the concentration of denatured alcohol, which is within 10%.
Many oily skin care products are positioned as assistants in the regulation of lipid balance precisely due to the presence of ethanol in the composition. However, cosmetologists are practically the same in this respect - to solve skin problems of any type, it is more effective to use gentle products that do not contain alcohol. For those who are ready to completely abandon cosmetics containing Alcohol Denat, products that do not contain water can replace them. These include oil-based balms and serums, as well as pure oil products.
A few words about Organic
It is noteworthy that alcohol is also often present in organic cosmetics. This is due to the fact that the product must be preserved for a certain period of time. In organic cosmetics, the alcohol content is minimized, so the shelf life of such products is shorter than traditional care products. In the manufacture of cosmetics labeled Organic, alcohols obtained by mild fermentation from grapes or grains are most often used.
Speaking of organic cosmetics and detergents, it is worth focusing on the fact that the use of ethanol as a preservative leads to a less aggressive effect on the human body of these products than the use of parabens. Alcohol obtained from cereals, fruits and berries, has the most gentle effect on the skin. It is a substance of this origin that is used by manufacturers of organic, natural products.
Concerns about the content of Alcohol Denat in cosmetics that come in contact with our skin and hair every day are not unfounded. However, with a competent approach to the selection of products at the stage of purchase, you can stock up on cosmetics that will give the maximum of useful properties that are contained in it without a tangible negative impact.
To do this, it is necessary to study in detail the composition of each purchased product, choose with the lowest alcohol content. However, one should not forget that this substance is used on an industrial scale for a reason. It is he who allows you to use a jar of your favorite cream for more than one month, and perfectly selected shampoo allows you to make your hair clean, supple and radiant after repeated use.