Alcohol in Astringents, Toners, and Other Cosmetics

Many of the alcohols found in cosmetics are highly toxic, and by reading this guide you will be able to identify on product labels those chemicals to avoid.

Most often the alcohol used in cosmetics is ethanol. Ethanol can be made by the fermentation of sugar or starch or b the hydration of ethylene, an acrylate copolymer (with very toxic synthetic plastic resins, according to Aubrey Hampton of Aubrey Organics). Alcohols marked SD and CD (such as SD Alcohol 40) are “specially denatured” and “completely denatured,” respectively. Chemicals are added to make them poisonous to drink, and these chemicals to avoid, even if the alcohol itself is a natural grain alcohol. Many of the poisons added are neurotoxic; they are often ingredients such as gasoline, acetone, formaldehyde, pine tar, and even kerosene. Isopropyl alcohol is synthetic.

Although it is difficult to find products – especially toners and astringents – without synthetic alcohols, if you read labels you will see that they do exist, and they will more than likely be pure and plant based.

Read more: Beauty, Holistic Beauty, Skin Care

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Angela N.

12:47PM PDT on May 23, 2012

thank you :)

send a green star

Elaine A.

2:09AM PDT on May 21, 2012

Only use a toner with NO alcohol!!! And yes, a toner is the most misunderstood product in your skin care regime, as if used am & pm prior to your serum and day/night cream, you are exfoliating gently each day as we shed dead skin cells daily. Thus removing them is the only way you can expect your serum and moisturizer to penetrate the skin and achieve the desired results. If your serum & moisturizer are laying on a bed of dry dead skin cells, then it cannot penetrate to do the job. Which is to rehydrate the skin!

colleen p.

1:07PM PDT on Oct 10, 2011

are these toxins used to make fake leather?

Ida J.

3:11AM PDT on Oct 10, 2011

thanks for the article

Jennifer C.

5:18PM PDT on Oct 9, 2011

Thanks for the post.

Teresa W.

5:41AM PST on Jan 29, 2011

Some people would drink the products if they found this out. LOL!

Diane W.

12:46AM PST on Jan 29, 2011

What I've found out through my own experience is if you wash your face with a PH balanced soap, there is no need for a tonic or skin freshener at all! Your skin is then ready to receive your beauty cream. It's fabulous because it saves so much on the beauty product budget!

KS G.

5:31AM PST on Jan 28, 2011

Thanks for the article.

Sue J.

3:36AM PST on Jan 28, 2011

I also use witch hazel for astringent, works great for me.

Bon L.

5:14AM PST on Jan 4, 2011

Thanks for the info.