Alcohol
Drying alcohol Not CG-friendly
Plain ethanol. Used as a fast-drying solvent in sprays and some gels; drying when it is a major ingredient.
Curly Girl note: Short-chain alcohol that can dry hair when used high in the list.
How our checker rates it
| Mode | Rating | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Curly Girl | Avoid | Drying alcohol high in the list — can dry out curls. Not CG-friendly. |
| Relaxed hair | Caution | Drying alcohol high in the list — relaxed ends are already prone to dryness. |
| Low porosity | OK | No concerns for this mode. |
| Protein-sensitive | OK | No concerns for this mode. |
Ratings assume it is listed near the top of the label. After the first preservative or fragrance (likely 1% or less) most cautions soften.
What drying alcohol ingredients do
Short-chain alcohols that evaporate quickly. Useful for fast drying and dissolving other ingredients, but high amounts can dry hair out.
Also listed as
- ethanol
- ethyl alcohol
- grain alcohol
Similar ingredients
Sources
Last data update:
- Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR). Ingredient safety assessments. Safety assessments for cosmetic ingredients cited on ingredient pages.
How we research and update pages: editorial policy. Spotted an error? Tell us.