Rate My SPF

Alcohol Denat

What Alcohol Denat is & what it does

Cosmetic ethanol, used as a fast-evaporating solvent that gives a weightless, quick-drying finish and helps other ingredients absorb. In high amounts it can be drying or irritating for sensitive skin, so it is a trade-off for texture.

What is Alcohol Denat and what does it do in sunscreen?

Alcohol Denat is cosmetic ethanol that has been denatured so it is not drinkable. It is used as a fast-evaporating solvent that gives a weightless, quick-drying finish and helps other ingredients spread and absorb, which is common in light facial and spray sunscreens. The trade-off is that in high amounts it can feel drying or irritating on sensitive skin.

Is Alcohol Denat safe?

Yes, as used in cosmetics. It is a long-established ingredient and is considered safe at the levels used in sunscreens. The main concern is not safety but feel: on dry or sensitive skin a high alcohol content can be drying or irritating, so it is more a comfort trade-off than a hazard.

Does Alcohol Denat clog pores?

No. Alcohol Denat evaporates quickly and leaves no oily residue, so it does not clog pores and is sometimes chosen specifically for an oil-free, fast-drying finish. If anything, the concern with it is dryness, not congestion.

Is Alcohol Denat bad for your skin?

Not inherently. For oily and combination skin the quick-drying, lightweight feel is often welcome. For dry, sensitive, or compromised skin a high level of Alcohol Denat can disrupt comfort and feel stripping, so people with those skin types may prefer formulas where it sits lower on the ingredient list.

What else is Alcohol Denat called?

Alcohol Denat is denatured alcohol, also written as SD Alcohol or Alcohol Denatured on some labels. It is the same cosmetic ethanol, with a bittering or denaturing agent added so it cannot be consumed. It is different from the fatty alcohols like cetyl or cetearyl alcohol, which are waxy emollients and not drying.

Sunscreens with Alcohol Denat

We rate 818 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

← All ingredients