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Ask the Beauty Brains: How bad is alcohol?

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    • CommentAuthorCubelixa
    • CommentTimeSep 17th 2009
     
    I'd like to know if the huge amount of alcohol in my natural cosmetic prodcts (to compensate the lack of preservatives) will try out my skin and hair on the long run because sort of everyone just keeps telling me this although I haven't noticed that effect yet.

    E.g. I'm using a hair tonic with the folowing ingredients twice a day:

    Aqua, Isopropyl Alcohol, Parfum, Panthenol, Menthol, Urtica Diocia Herb Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Menthyl Lactate, Aesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract

    It's supposed to stop my scalp from producing too much oil so that I can step by step lengthen my washing rhythm from every second day to every 5th day or even a week.

    Is this ok for my hair and scalp?
    • CommentAuthorvananners
    • CommentTimeSep 17th 2009 edited
     
    I've heard two different stories about alcohol. Paula Begoun says that alcohol is very irritating, drying and damaging to the skin so I stay away from it at all costs. But I also read somewhere that alcohol evaporates once it is applied to the skin so it is just a carrier and doesn't in fact make any difference. I'm interested to know a final answer.

    The ingredients in your 'hair tonic' don't seem very good for hair at all, except for maybe the panthenol. :(

    -Aqua - water

    -Isopropyl Alcohol - Alcohols with low molecular weight can be drying and irritating. The skin-irritating forms of alcohol include ethanol, denatured alcohol, ethyl alcohol, methanol, benzyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, and sd alcohol. Not only can they be extremely drying and irritating to skin, but also can generate free-radical damage.

    -Parfum - this is fragrance and does absolutely nothing but can irriatate skin and cause inflammation

    -Panthenol - is a non-irritating, precursor form of Vitamin B. It can penetrate skin and transform into pantothenic acid (commonly known as Vitamin B5). Panthenol maintains skin water retention and treats minor irritation

    -Menthol - is an alcohol that can be isolated from peppermint or other mint oils. It is used as a denaturant, flavoring agent and fragrance ingredient. Menthol can have irritating effect as peppermint on skin

    -Urtica Diocia Herb Extract - this is stinging nettle. The only information I could find about it is that it is being studied to aid in treatment of diabetes in rats and the following from wikipedia, but this is just speculation: "Nettle is used in hair shampoos to control dandruff, and is said to make hair more glossy, which is why some farmers include a handful of nettles with cattle feed.[5] It is also thought nettles can ease eczema."

    Phenoxyethanol - is the aromatic ether alcohol. It is one of the less irritating preservatives used in cosmetic

    Menthyl Lactate - this is an additive that imparts a cooling feeling. I'm guessing by the name that this is from menthol and is probably irritating to the skin.

    Aesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract (horse chestnut) - may have anti-inflammatory properties for skin
    • CommentAuthorCubelixa
    • CommentTimeSep 18th 2009
     
    Oh dear! Well, I used to use a different one that was a natural cosmetic product. It had the following ingredients:

    Water, Alcohol, Cochlearia Armoracia (Horseradish) Extract, Sedum Acre (Extract), Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Oil, Potassium Carbonate, Fragrance (Parfum)*, Limonene*, Linalool*, Geraniol*. *from natural essential oils

    Is this any better or just as bad?
    Maybe I should give the baby powder another try. ;-)


    As to alcohol in lotions and creme. I try to stay away from facial lotions with alcohol as I have a super-sensitive and easy to irritate skin in my face (Couperose / Rosacea) but I can't notice a drying effect when using shower gels or body lotions containing alcohol.
    •  
      CommentAuthorLeft Brain
    • CommentTimeSep 18th 2009
     

    There is no evidence that alcohol will dry out hair so this is not something you should worry about.

    Alcohol on skin is debatable.  It is a drying ingredient but when mixed with water and other conditioning ingredients, it isn't a problem. 

    • CommentAuthorvananners
    • CommentTimeSep 18th 2009
     
    Water

    Alcohol - same as my above response on alcohol but the brains raise a good point. I would stay away from it if possible, just to be safe.

    Cochlearia Armoracia (Horseradish) Extract - couldn't find much on this other than that it can irritate the sinuses and eyes. Found this from wikipedia: "Known to have diuretic properties, the roots have been used to treat various minor health problems, including urinary tract infections, bronchitis, sinus congestion, ingrowing toenails and coughs. Compounds found in horseradish have been found to kill some bacterial strains"

    Sedum Acre (Extract) - aka Stonecrop - the only thing I've ever heard about stonecrop in beauty preparations is that it has lightening capabilities but these are unsupported.

    Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Oil - has antioxidant properties. But with large amount the aromatic component can cause irritation or sensitization or toxic reactions on skin

    Potassium Carbonate - white salt that forms a strongly alkaline solution. It is a strong chemical and potent skin irritant that may cause burning sensation.


    Fragrance (Parfum)- this is fragrance and does absolutely nothing but can irriatate skin and cause inflammation

    Limonene - is present in many fragrant essential oils such as citrus oils, pine trees or species of the mint family. It can cause contact dermatitis and is best avoided

    Linalool - is fragrant component of lavender and coriander. It can be a potent skin irritant and sensitizer once it is exposed to air

    Geraniol - is usually used in fragrance. It is the primary part of rose oil, palmarosa oil, and citronella oil. It also occurs in small quantities in geranium, lemon, and many other essential oils


    Because of the addition of the Potassium Carbonate in this one, I'd say the other one is the lesser of the two evils. But in my personal opinion, the best and safest treatment for hair is pure coconut oil. The brains have released that it is one of the few things that actually CAN improve strength of hair. It's also cheap and smells yummy.
    • CommentAuthorCubelixa
    • CommentTimeSep 19th 2009
     
    Man, imagining that the first one is just a cheap drugstore product that costs 1,75 Euro whereas the second one is a natural cosmetic product that costs 10,00 Euro....... :-(

    Oh, I DO use coconut oil. I use it as a pre-wash treatment every time before I wash my hair. Unfortunately it doesn't stop my hair from getting oily. lol

    Thank you so much for your answers. I'm a lot wiser now. :-)
    • CommentAuthorvananners
    • CommentTimeSep 21st 2009
     
    More proof that expensive isn't always better! I hope you can find a good quality product that works for you! Have you ever tried dry shampoos? They work great for my fine, oily-prone hair.
    • CommentAuthorCubelixa
    • CommentTimeSep 22nd 2009
     
    Yes, I have tried one dry shampoo as well as baby powder but unfortunately both didn't work very well. Maybe I shall give it another try....

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