Ingredient Directory
Low ConcernVegan

Ethanol

Ethyl alcohol

Safety Notes

Drying at high concentrations; solvent for actives; evaporative cooling; denatured ethanol (SD Alcohol) used in most cosmetics

Function & Common Use

Function

Solvent / Antimicrobial / Astringent

Category

Solvent / Carrier

Common In

Toners, micellar water, hand sanitizer, perfume, hairspray

Origin

Synthetic / Plant (bioethanol)

Concentration Limits

India (CDSCO)

No limit

EU Cosmetics Reg.

No limit

Baby restriction: Not for infant products above trace levels

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ethanol safe to use in skincare?

Ethanol has a Low concern rating from The Clean Sheet. Drying at high concentrations; solvent for actives; evaporative cooling; denatured ethanol (SD Alcohol) used in most cosmetics

Is Ethanol allowed in India?

Ethanol is currently classified as "Permitted" under Indian cosmetics regulations. No concentration limit is specified for India.

What is Ethanol used for in cosmetics?

Ethanol functions as: Solvent / Antimicrobial / Astringent. It is commonly found in: Toners, micellar water, hand sanitizer, perfume, hairspray.

Is Ethanol safe for babies?

Ethanol has baby/child restrictions: Not for infant products above trace levels. Avoid using products containing this ingredient on infants unless specifically formulated and labelled for baby use.

TCS Assessment
Low Concern
Based on peer-reviewed safety data, regulatory status, and expert review by The Clean Sheet panel.

Regulatory Status

India (CDSCO)
Permitted
EU
Permitted
US FDA
Permitted
Korea (MFDS)
Permitted

Identifiers

CAS64-17-5
EC200-578-6

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