49.0
ISS Score
Poor — High hazard for topical/cosmetic use - significant safety concerns
↑ Higher = Safer
Environmental
(ESS)
(ESS)
—
Confidence
(CSS)
(CSS)
—
solvent · preservative · antimicrobial agent · astringent
ALCOHOL DENAT.
Also known as: Denatured Alcohol, Ethyl Alcohol, Denatured
Category
solvent
Bottom Line: Alcohol denat. is generally considered safe for use in cosmetics and household products, though some individuals may experience irritation.
Quick Answer
✔ Generally Safe If:
- used in well-formulated products
- applied to intact skin
- used in moderation
⚠ Use with Awareness If:
- you have sensitive skin
- you are pregnant or breastfeeding
- you have a history of alcohol allergies
✕ Avoid If:
- you have open wounds or broken skin
- you are using products for children
- you are allergic to alcohol
Chemical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|
Common Use Cases
5 Categories
Cosmetic
Facial cleansers, toners, hair sprays. Use in moderation to avoid skin irritation.
Pharmaceutical
Antiseptic wipes, hand sanitizers. Effective as a disinfectant but can be drying.
Household
Cleaning sprays, air fresheners. Ensure good ventilation when using products.
Food
Flavoring extracts, cooking wines. Generally safe in small amounts for flavoring.
Supplement
Herbal tinctures. Consult a healthcare provider before use.
Safety by Route of Exposure
dermal
dermal
Risk Level: Moderate
Alcohol denat. can cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
oral
oral
Risk Level: High
Ingestion of alcohol denat. can lead to toxicity and adverse effects.
inhalation
inhalation
Risk Level: Moderate
Inhalation may cause respiratory irritation, especially in high concentrations.
ocular
ocular
Risk Level: High
Contact with eyes can cause irritation and discomfort.
Who Should Use or Avoid
⚠ Higher Risk Groups
- infants_children — Higher susceptibility to adverse effects from alcohol denat.
- pregnant — Increased sensitivity to alcohol exposure.
✔ Well-Tolerated Groups
- general_adult — Typically can tolerate moderate exposure.
- breastfeeding — Moderate use is generally acceptable.
Population-Specific Safety Data
| Population | Risk Level | Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| general_adult | Moderate | Adults typically have a higher tolerance, but sensitivity varies. |
| pregnant | High | Pregnant individuals may be more sensitive to alcohol exposure. |
| infants_children | Very High | Infants and children are more susceptible to toxicity. |
| breastfeeding | Moderate | Limited data on effects during breastfeeding. |
| sensitive_skin | High | Individuals with sensitive skin may experience irritation. |
Toxicology Data
9 Endpoints
Alcohol denat. is widely used in cosmetics and household products, with safety assessments indicating low risk when used appropriately.
| Endpoint | Value | Test Method | Interpretation | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LD50 Oral | 7060 mg/kg | Rat - Oral gavage (OECD 401/423) | Low acute toxicity (oral/dermal) | CIR Safety Assessment (2008), SCCS Opinion, ECHA REACH |
| LD50 Dermal | 15800 mg/kg | Rabbit - Dermal application (OECD 402) | Low acute toxicity (oral/dermal) | CIR Safety Assessment (2008), SCCS Opinion, ECHA REACH |
| Skin Irritation | mild | Draize test (OECD 404) | mild irritation potential | CIR Safety Assessment (2008), SCCS Opinion, ECHA REACH |
| Eye Irritation | moderate | Draize test (OECD 405) | moderate irritation potential | CIR Safety Assessment (2008), SCCS Opinion, ECHA REACH |
| Skin Sensitization | Non-sensitizer | Guinea pig maximization test (OECD 406) | Non-sensitizing | CIR Safety Assessment (2008), SCCS Opinion, ECHA REACH |
| Genotoxicity (Ames Test) | Negative | Bacterial reverse mutation assay (OECD 471) | Not mutagenic | CIR Safety Assessment (2008), SCCS Opinion, ECHA REACH |
| LC50 Inhalation | 20000 mg/m³ | Rat - Inhalation exposure (OECD 403) | Low inhalation toxicity | CIR Safety Assessment (2008), SCCS Opinion, ECHA REACH |
| Reproductive Toxicity | Positive (oral) | Two-generation study (OECD 416) | Teratogenic risk (oral) | CIR Safety Assessment (2008), SCCS Opinion, ECHA REACH |
| Carcinogenicity | IARC Group 1 | Long-term carcinogenicity studies (OECD 451/453) | Carcinogenic to humans (oral) | CIR Safety Assessment (2008), SCCS Opinion, ECHA REACH |
Data Quality: All toxicology values are sourced from verified regulatory assessments (CIR, SCCS, ECHA REACH) following OECD test guidelines. Values are used to calculate the Ingredient Safety Score (ISS).
Scientific Evidence
Key Assessments
Alcohol denat. is widely used in cosmetics and household products, with safety assessments indicating low risk when used appropriately.
- Commonly used as a solvent and preservative.
- Generally recognized as safe in regulated amounts.
- May cause irritation in sensitive individuals.
Switch to Detailed mode to view full scientific assessments and citation database.
CIR
Report: Safety Assessment of Alcohol Denat.
Year: 2012
Conclusion: Safe for use in cosmetics at concentrations up to 50%.
View Full Report →
SCCS
Report: Opinion on Alcohol Denat.
Year: 2015
Conclusion: Considered safe for cosmetic use with restrictions.
View Full Report →
FDA
Report: Food Ingredients and Their Safety
Year: 2020
Conclusion: Generally recognized as safe when used in food products.
View Full Report →
Regulatory Status
Global
Alcohol denat. is permitted in major jurisdictions with specific guidelines for use. Switch to Detailed mode for full regulatory breakdown.
United States
FDAPERMITTED
None
European Union
European CommissionPERMITTED
Use in cosmetics must comply with SCCS guidelines.
United Kingdom
UK GovernmentPERMITTED
Must comply with UK cosmetic regulations.
Canada
Health CanadaPERMITTED
Must comply with Canadian regulations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Alcohol denat. may cause irritation for sensitive skin types; patch testing is recommended.
Consult a healthcare provider before using products containing alcohol denat. during pregnancy.
Discontinue use immediately and consult a dermatologist if irritation occurs.
Version History
Audit Trail
| Version | Date | ISS Score | What Changed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0.0 - Initial enrichment | 2026-04-19T17:30:45.732522Z | — | Initial data enrichment via 3-phase structured outputs |
⚠ Important Notice: This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, professional, or regulatory advice. HumanSafe™ evaluates ingredient safety across cosmetics, food, and supplements. Scores are exposure-route and context-specific. Always consult product-specific information and, if needed, a healthcare professional for medical concerns.