A variety of alcohol types are used as actives in iS Clinical products .
Short-Chain Alcohols Examples of short-chain alcohols are isopropyl alcohol ( also known as rubbing alcohol ) and ethanol ( the alcohol in alcoholic drinks ). They are derived from sugars or other carbohydrates . Short-chain alcohols have a very low boiling point , so they evaporate very readily at room temperature and from the skin . Ethanol ( ethyl alcohol ) is also used in skincare products and is referred to as denatured alcohol or SD alcohol 40 . In these preparations , regulations require that the ethanol be mixed with a toxic additive so that it cannot be ingested when it arrives at manufacturing facilities in large amounts .
If used frequently in large amounts , ethanol can dry the skin and can damage the skin barrier . In this situation , it will carry water as it evaporates from the body , contributing to dehydrating the skin . Small amounts of ethanol are used in some iS Clinical cosmeceuticals . Its purpose is to evaporate quickly so that the skincare product will be acceptable to the user . If ethanol were not incorporated , water or another liquid that evaporates more slowly would have to be used , thus causing the product to remain as a liquid for a long period of time on the user ’ s skin . This would be unacceptable , as it would cause the product to take many minutes to be absorbed , or it would have to be rubbed into the skin for several minutes to encourage absorption .
Short-chain alcohols have a very low boiling point , so they evaporate very readily at room temperature and from the skin .
Ethanol may also be used as a solvent , a dissolving agent for other active ingredients within the formula . It can serve as a penetration enhancer and improve the absorption of other beneficial ingredients . Although it will not stand alone as a preservative in the concentrations used , ethanol can be added to other antimicrobials in the formula , thus requiring lesser total amounts of preservatives to be used overall .
In chemical peels , short-chain alcohols may serve as solvents for other ingredients . They also defat the skin , preparing it for the activity of the peel .
Long-Chain Alcohols Long-chain alcohols are molecules of larger length and size . They do not evaporate readily , or even at all , from the skin . Consequently , they are used as moisturizers and humectants . Cetyl ( palmityl ) alcohol , caprylic alcohol , cetearyl alcohol , and stearyl alcohol are examples of long-chain alcohols used in skincare products for their moisturizing qualities . These ingredients are lipid-soluble , oily or waxy in nature , and are the opposite of drying . They are counterirritants and may also facilitate the
If ethanol were not incorporated , water or another liquid that evaporates more slowly would have to be used , thus causing the product to remain as a liquid for a long time on the user ’ s skin .
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