Methyl Alcohol

Methyl Alcohol

AKA “methanol, wood alcohol, Methylol, Wood naphtha, Methyl hydroxide, Monohydroxymethane, Methylalkohol, Alcool methylique”

Synthetic

Ingredient Facts

Methyl alcohol

AKA: Methanol, Wood alcohol, Methylol, Wood naphtha, Methyl hydroxide, Monohydroxymethane, Methylalkohol, Alcool methylique

Synthetic · Antimicrobial · EWG: 4

Synthetic

Preservative

Solvent

Astringent

Synthetic

Clean

A solvent that helps blend ingredients together and allows products to dry quickly on skin. Used in small amounts in formulations.

Solubility greater than or equal to 100 mg/mL at 70 °F (NTP, 1992)

Formula

CH4O

Mol. Weight

32.04

CAS #

67-56-1

Form

Liquid

State

Methanol appears as a colorless fairly volatile liquid with a faintly sweet pungent odor like that of ethyl alcohol. Completely mixes with water. The vapors are slightly heavier than air and may trave

See origin →

Functions

Denaturant

Solvent

Dissolves other ingredients so they distribute evenly in the formula. Often the invisible "base" everything else is mixed into.

Astringent

Tightens and contracts skin tissue, temporarily shrinking pores and reducing oiliness. That "clean, tight" feeling after toner.

Antimicrobial

Keeps your product from growing bacteria, mold, or yeast. Without these, that jar of cream becomes a petri dish in about a week.

Antioxidant

Protects skin from free radical damage caused by UV, pollution, and stress

Provides scent

Makes alcohol undrinkable

Dissolves other ingredients

Traditional Use

Methanol was first isolated in the late 18th century. Used in cosmetics as a solvent and preservative booster, though its use is restricted in topical products due to toxicity concerns.

Skin Types

●all-skin-types

Best For

General

Melanin-Rich Skin

Suitable

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe

Caution

EWG

CIR

Safe w/Qualifications

Pregnancy

Caution

CIR Safety Findings

medical-approval

all-shades-safe

Concentration Guide

5%

0%7%

Reg. Limit

EU regulatory limit: 5%. % of ethanol and isopropyl alcohol) Source: EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) 1223/2009, Annex III (Restricted Substances), Entry 52.