Alcohol(1)
INCI: ALCOHOL
CAS 64-17-5
Solvent, antimicrobial agent, astringent, antifoaming agent, viscosity-controlling agent, penetration enhancer
Limited Data
Insufficient safety data available. Consider enriching this ingredient.
Details
Description
Solvent, antimicrobial agent, astringent, antifoaming agent, viscosity-controlling agent, penetration enhancer
Purpose
Function
Solvent, antimicrobial agent, astringent, antifoaming agent, viscosity-controlling agent, penetration enhancer
Profile
Properties
Silicone
Silicone free
Compliance
Regulatory Status
EU
Permitted
Safety
GOOD
US
Permitted
Absorptionhigh
Sensitizationnone
MoSadequate
NOAEL2400 mg/kg
ConcernLow
Flags
penetration-enhancereu-regulatory-watchflammableewg-limited-dataantimicrobialsolventprop65eu_children_restrictedepa_safer_alternativeifra_fragrancefda_food_additive
Verdict
A well-established, multifunctional cosmetic solvent with a long safety record. CIR and SCCS data confirm safety at cosmetic use levels. The main caveat is its role as a penetration enhancer, which can increase systemic delivery of co-formulated ingredients, and the pending EU CMR category 2 reprotoxic reclassification which – if finalised – would require a derogation assessment. Not a sensitizer.
US Note
CIR Expert Panel concluded Alcohol and Alcohol Denat. are safe as used in cosmetics; dermal application does not produce significant systemic ethanol exposure; safety of denatured forms depends on denaturant used
Assessment
Ratings
Reference