There are both natural alcohols and synthetic alcohols. Synthetic alcohol such as isopropyl alcohol is a petroleum compoun; it has a strong odor and is a cheaper raw material. The “SD” alcohols (the SD stands for “specially denatured”)are also not natural; they are grain alcohols with various substances added to them to prevent their being rebottled and sold as beverages, i.e., SD alcohol 40. The natural alcohols are made by fermentation of starch, sugar, grains, and various carbohydrates. They are often called “grain alcohol” or “ethyl alcohol.” Alcohol can dissolve fat, like your skin’s sebum, and strong alcohol solutions can be drying to the skin. This, of course, depends on the type of product and alcohol used. Natural alcohols are better tolerated by the skin.
Alcohol most commonly refers to:
- Alcohol (chemistry), an organic compound in which a hydroxyl group is bound to a carbon atom
- Alcohol (drug), an intoxicant found in alcoholic drinks
Alcohol may also refer to: