The Alcohol Hiding in Your "Hydrating" Lotion

Some moisturizers dry as they promise to hydrate.

A lotion can say "hydrating" on the front and contain an ingredient that works against it on the back.

Not all alcohols are equal

"Alcohol" on an ingredient list isn't one thing. The drying kind — denatured alcohol, alcohol denat., SD alcohol, isopropyl — evaporates fast and can strip the skin barrier. It's added to make products feel light and absorb quickly, but on dry skin it can leave you drier.

The good alcohols

Confusingly, cetyl, stearyl, and cetearyl alcohol are the opposite — waxy "fatty alcohols" that soften and moisturize. Same word, opposite job. Seeing these is fine.

The move

If a lotion feels great for a minute then tight, scan for denatured alcohol high in the list. For dry or sensitive skin, favor formulas built on ceramides, glycerin, or shea over ones that lead with the evaporating kind.

Ask kiiwii

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