Will using skin care products containing alcohol ruin your face?

Not really

Alcohol is widely used in cosmetics, especially as a common ingredient for cleaning, sterilization, preservatives, and helping other active ingredients penetrate.

From a scientific research perspective, adding an appropriate amount of alcohol (such as ethanol) to reliable skin care products is relatively safe and can increase the stability and shelf life of the product.

Whether alcohol will harm the skin cannot be generalized. It mainly depends on the concentration and formula of the alcohol and the type of individual skin.

For oily skin or acne-prone skin, skin care products containing an appropriate amount of alcohol can help clean excess oil and keep pores unobstructed, thereby preventing acne. This type of skin usually has a good tolerance to alcohol, and using it in moderation will not cause significant damage to the skin.

Just be aware that long-term use of products containing high concentrations of alcohol may damage the skin barrier function. Especially for people with dry and sensitive skin, alcohol may indeed cause damage to the skin barrier, leading to dryness, tightness, and even tingling. Therefore, for people with skin problems, it is more important to choose mild (low alcohol or alcohol-free) skin care products.

Author: Tang Jiaoqing, MD, attending physician of dermatology

Review | Feng Jun, deputy chief physician of the Dermatology Department of Sinopharm Tongmei General Hospital