In the league of villains among all components of cosmetics alcohols brought supporters of natural and organic cosmetics. Moreover, on a par with parabens and silicones.
And when the law forced manufacturers to specify the full composition, the same organic-surfaced and preservatives, and alcohols in the composition. In general, no different in essence from the traditional cosmetics.
In glossy magazines and on the Internet will spam people had head unreliable information about alcohol. Because of these ugly PR campaigns of manufacturers of natural and organic cosmetics plain naive consumers are confused in choosing a tool. God be with him, it's not so bad. Another problem - the selection of a user does often wrong. He is afraid of alcohol in the composition! And very much in vain.
Today in this article I will try to the maximum to cover all the alcohols used in cosmetics, as well as to dispel the myth about their risk for skin.
Why do you need alcohol in cosmetics
Each cream has two key components - water and oil. If you try to make yourself a homemade cream only from these two components, You get a strange consistency with lumps that after an hour had already become habitat for a variety of bacteria.
Alcohols - is, first and foremost, stabilizers and preservatives. It alcohols make creams we are used to a smooth consistency (ie, with a stable emulsion). And they do not allow bacteria to colonize our favorite jars and tubes.
The light fractions of alcohols on the skin evaporates, thus reducing its oiliness. This is very useful aesthetic properties of alcohols makes any oil means pleasant feels (you do not feel in the face of the oil film).
Active ingredients strong cosmetic products (e.g., serum) does not reach the dermis without the aid of alcohol. Alcohol breaks down the lipid barrier in time, and "opens the door" of useful components of cosmetics into the deep layers of the skin.
Why is there so much alcohol soars myths and fears
Because many people think that alcohol - a product of fermentation, when sugar after interaction with yeast get the same alcohol or who drink or use in cleaning agents. Everything is much more complicated. There are more alcohols, which are obtained from fats! This alcohol do not drink, and it is even useful in cosmetics.
The second factor why alcohols rank of harmful ingredients - their ability to dissolve our lipids from the skin. Without the lipid barrier of the skin loses its protective function and are highly susceptible to dehydration and irritation.
But there is one! In order to fully carry the lipid barrier of the skin must be treated with pure ethanol instead of his scanty content in cosmetics.
Ethyl alcohol, and ethanol (Ethyl Alcohol and Ethanol)
The most common and known to many alcohol. Who drink, used in medicine, automotive, chemistry, etc. In cosmetics it is also common.
The task of such alcohol - a bit to destroy the lipid barrier, making it more permeable to the active components of a cream or lotion better penetrate the skin. In another way.
As part of the nutritional and cosmetic fatty alcohol evaporates, and thus it reduces the fat content of the cream on the skin.
With this spirit in the composition must be careful, here it is irritating to the skin. And it is better not to buy funds, where ethanol is in second place in the lineup.
If you have non-sensitive skin, then ethanol is not inflict severe damage in the form of irritation and redness.
Methyl alcohol (Methyl Alcohol)
Frankly, I do not understand how to pass on the cosmetics market, where there is a part of methyl alcohol. Perhaps technologies such cosmetic products write to me in the comments or mail his appointment.
Let me explain why I'm a little afraid of methyl alcohol. In self-racers in the distillation of alcohol is divided into three types: the "head", ethyl alcohol, and "tails." Pure moonshine - it is not "heads" and "tails". Head - it is just the methyl alcohol. Its bootleggers (distillers) "emptied" into a separate container and used, e.g., for the firing or as a cleaning agent. But in any case, do not use or are not in contact with the mucosa.
Of methyl alcohol a person can go blind. Gets on the mucous membrane - the trouble. Even at a party at the same vodka alcohols are divided into groups of purity. It is believed that the best alcohol in vodka - "Alpha", because it is less than all the content of methyl alcohol.
Yeah, maybe in cosmetics as a part of its share is very small. However, I'd rather be donated ruble and bought a vehicle with more gentle composition, no methyl alcohol.
Benzyl alcohol (Benzyl Alcohol)
It is composed of essential oils as well as oils Styrax, jasmine and ylang-ylang. Used as a preservative, antiseptic and antibacterial properties.
In respect of benzyl alcohol should be noted that it is approved by the organization Soil Association, and is one of the major CAs organic produce. In other words, approved by the Soil Association can be safely used in organic cosmetics. However, the fact of the presence of benzyl alcohol used to hide.
Benzyl (Benzyl Benzoate)
It is a colorless and transparent liquid, not only gives a pleasant aroma shampoos, massage oils and bath bombs, but still it is a very good solvent. Benzyl benzoate used in perfume and perfume dissolution of several components into a single substance.
The alcohol contained in the essential oils: rosewood, cinnamon, ylang ylang and benzoin. The oils and bombs for baths, he just needed, otherwise the flavor of these products will not be full-bodied and sweet.
It necessarily the manufacturer must indicate in the compositions because to benzyl benzoate has an allergy in some people.
Isopropanol (Isopropyl Alcohol)
His task - to dissolve the components in cosmetics. Petrochemical by-product, can be very irritating to the skin. Owners of sensitive skin is better to refrain from the media, as part of which is isopropyl alcohol. But to be honest, I have not met a single agent, wherein in the composition among the top five components met isopropyl alcohol.
Denatured alcohol (Alcohol Denat or Specially Denatured (SD) Alcohol)
This alcohol is nasty and bitter taste. Such impurities manufacturer of cosmetics specially added to cosmetics not ingested. This is important not only to alkonavtov not able to expand their gastronomic delights, along with hawthorn or industrial alcohol, but still with a view to the safety of children.
And now I go to my favorite "fat" alcohols, which do not be afraid to be in the compositions :-)
Cetyl Alcohol (Cetyl Alcohol)
This wax alcohol, which at room temperature is in the solid state (in the form of wax flakes). This substance is, in principle, have all the fatty alcohols, which are listed below. They are safe even for sensitive skin, and cosmetics manufacturers melt them in their products.
Cetyl alcohol melt in cosmetics to give the product a skin softening property. Quite a popular ingredient in baby lotions and shampoos. A children's cosmetics has been very strict quality control, so any harmful stuff in the not to miss.
Cetyl alcohol is manufactured from coconut oil. It is present in the composition of assets of high-quality nail polish remover, mascara, lipsticks, shampoos, hand creams and décolleté, as well as bases for make-up.
Stearyl Alcohol (Stearyl Alcohol)
He, too, are derived from coconut oil. He better properties of cetyl alcohol: not only softens the skin, but also serves as a good emulsifier (I.e., binds well with water and oil product is obtained smooth and stable formula). But there is one! Stearyl alcohol is good solids only.
Cetearyl Alcohol (Cetearyl Alcohol)
In fact, "improved" stearyl alcohol, it can soften the hard and dense texture of a cosmetic product. It occurs in sanskrinah, decorative cosmetics for the eye area and in creams.
Arachidyl alcohol (Arachidyl Alcohol)
As the above "fatty" alcohol it softens the skin, serves as a stabilizer, as well as perfectly retains moisture and acts as an antiseptic. Such alcohol - a good one for owners of dry skin. And it is absolutely safe.
Behenyl alcohol (Behenyl Alcohol)
Safe thickener composition with him creams have a very thick consistency. It retains moisture, softening the skin and still possesses antiviral properties and is a member of the herpes medicaments.
So, all the "fat" alcohols are safe for the skin, do not destroy the lipid barrier and are used in children's cosmetics. However, there are disadvantages, too - such alcohols can cause the appearance of comedones. With this disadvantage manufacturers struggle Cosmetics, each time improving formula.
"Low-fat" alcohol also should not be very afraid, other than methyl alcohol. Here, I fear it, to be honest :-)
Save, recall, and read always carefully the composition of cosmetic products.
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