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Alcohol
AKA “ethanol, ethyl alcohol, grain alcohol, Methylcarbinol, Ethyl hydroxide, Ethyl hydrate, Tecsol, Algrain”
Synthetic
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Ingredient Facts
Alcohol
AKA: Ethanol, Ethyl alcohol, Grain alcohol, Methylcarbinol, Ethyl hydroxide, Ethyl hydrate, Tecsol, Algrain
Synthetic · Antifoaming | Preservative | Astringent | Fragrance | Solvent | Thickener · EWG: 4
Plant-Derived
Preservative
Fragrance
Solvent
Astringent
Synthetic
Clean
A lightweight ingredient that helps preserve the formula, reduce excess oil, and enhance absorption. It also helps distribute other beneficial ingredients evenly throughout the product.
Solubility greater than or equal to 100 mg/mL at 73 °F (NTP, 1992)
Formula
C2H6O
Mol. Weight
46.07
CAS #
64-17-5
Form
Liquid
Plant-Derived
Synthetic. Produced through fermentation of sugars or starches using yeast, or synthesized from ethylene via hydration. Typically obtained by distillation of fermented liquids or catalytic hydration of ethylene gas.
Function
Antifoaming | Preservative | Astringent | Fragrance | Solvent | Thickener
Benefits
Controls excess oil
Minimizes pores
Traditional Use
Ethanol has been used as a preservative and solvent in cosmetics since at least the 15th century when alcohol distillation became widespread in Europe. Became the standard skincare solvent and preservative in modern cosmetics by the 19th century.
Skin Types
all-skin-types
Best For
Target
General
Melanin-Rich Skin
Suitable
Pregnancy Safe
Caution
EWG Score4
CIR Safety Findings
all-shades-safe
Regulatory Status
USA✔ permitted
EU⚠ restricted
JAPAN⚠ restricted
CANADA⚠ restricted
Safety review of phenoxyethanol when used as a preservati...
B Dréno, T Zuberbier, C Gelmetti, G Gontijo, M Marinovich
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV, 2019
→
Safety Assessment of Diethanolamine and Its Salts as Used...
Monice M Fiume, Bart Heldreth, Wilma F Bergfeld, Donald V Belsito, Ronald A Hill, Curtis D Klaassen + 6 more
International journal of toxicology, 2017
→
Safety Assessment of Benzyl Alcohol, Benzoic Acid and its...
Wilbur Johnson, Wilma F Bergfeld, Donald V Belsito, Ronald A Hill, Curtis D Klaassen, Daniel C Liebler + 5 more
International journal of toxicology, 2017
→
Safety Assessment of Diethanolamine and Its Salts as Used...
Monice M Fiume, Bart Heldreth, Wilma F Bergfeld, Donald V Belsito, Ronald A Hill, Curtis D Klaassen + 6 more
International journal of toxicology, 2017
→
Safety Assessment of Benzyl Alcohol, Benzoic Acid and its...
Wilbur Johnson, Wilma F Bergfeld, Donald V Belsito, Ronald A Hill, Curtis D Klaassen, Daniel C Liebler + 5 more
International journal of toxicology, 2017
→
Safety Assessment of Diethanolamine and Its Salts as Used...
Monice M Fiume, Bart Heldreth, Wilma F Bergfeld, Donald V Belsito, Ronald A Hill, Curtis D Klaassen + 6 more
International journal of toxicology, 2017
→
Phenoxyethanol Safety Assessment
Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology, 2019
→
Verified Feb 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR