In our reference data, sd alcohol is a drying alcohol.
SD alcohol (specially denatured ethanol) is a volatile solvent used in cosmetics to dissolve ingredients, aid rapid drying, reduce greasiness, and enhance penetration of other actives. It functions as a formulation aid rather than a therapeutic active.
| Reported effect | How often | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Skin dryness | Common | Disrupts the skin barrier and removes natural lipids, especially at high concentrations. |
| Irritation or stinging | Common | Can sting on compromised or sensitive skin and on freshly shaved or broken skin. |
| Transepidermal water loss / barrier impairment | Uncommon | Repeated use may weaken the moisture barrier over time. |
| Contact dermatitis | Rare | Irritant or, less often, allergic reactions reported in sensitive individuals. |
| Allergic contact dermatitis to denaturants | Very rare | Sensitization more often attributed to denaturing agents than to ethanol itself. |
Frequencies reflect typical cosmetic use reported in the literature, not a guarantee for your skin.
Peer-reviewed papers on this ingredient, via PubMed.