Can you use Rubbing Alcohol as an Astringent?

If you have acne-prone skin or open pores, you may know the importance of Astringent.

An Astringent is basically a liquid-based formula that constricts or shrinks the body tissue.

Astringent, in simpler words, basically means to bind fast. It is highly effective for dry, acne-prone skin with more open pores.

Astringents may commonly include,

• Witch Hazel
• Citric Acid
• Rubbing Alcohol
• Salicylic Acid

Can I Use Rubbing Alcohol as Astringent?

Yes, you can, of course, use Rubbing Alcohol as an Astringent.

For liquids like Isopropyl, some common health usage includes astringent, deodorant, shapable ice, etc.

Some of the common usages between both the liquids include,

• Skin tightening
• For reducing inflammation
• For reducing and improving acne condition.
• Shrinking pores
• For anti-bacterial benefits
• For cleansing irritants from the skin.

When you use Astringent, it affects your skin protein, i.e., Keratin, which basically contains the salt bonds.

Normally with changes in temperature, Sunrays, and other outdoor conditions, these bonds break down, causing the skin to lose.

However, with its cooling effect, Astringent reforms the salt bonds and further tightens your skin.

Astringent also helps in cleaning the clogged pores and improving blood circulation.

A safe Astringent can be used daily with your morning or night skincare routine.

However, because using Rubbing Alcohol for a long time isn’t a safe option, do not add it into your daily routine.

Instead, only go for it for the days when you are out of your cosmetic Astringent.

Is Rubbing Alcohol a base of Astringents?

Rubbing Alcohol isn’t really the base of Astringents, but all the Alcohol-based Astringent contain it as a prominent ingredient. If you have oily skin, go with Astringent with up to 60% Alcohol.

If you have mixed skin (oily and dry), go with Astringent that has up to 20% to 30% Alcohol.

And if you have dry skin, go with Astringent that has Alcohol 10% or less.

Are Toners and Astringent both same?

No Toners and Astringent both aren’t really the same but still quite similar. The key role of a toner is to clean, nourish and hydrate your skin.

It also balances out the pH level of your skin. At the same time, Astringents help clean the skin, dry out the oil, and tighten the pores.

You can go with a light skincare product if you want to go with toner.

Though if your concerns demand and you are fine with using a higher concentration of Alcohol, add Astringent to your skincare routine.

What does Rubbing Alcohol-based Astringent do to your skin?

Although alcohol-based Astringents are a prominent part of skincare, individuals with dry and sensitive skin should highly avoid them.

Alcohol and chemical-based Astringents can irritate breakouts resulting in redness and peeling.

Especially if you have a skin condition like eczema or rosacea, avoid Alcohol-based Astringent.

If you still want to use it, consider spot treatment for the oily parts of your skin.

Also, no matter which skin condition you have, always follow up your Astringent with a reliable sunscreen.

How to use an Astringent on your face?

Individuals with oily and extremely oily skin must add Alcohol-based Astringent twice a day into their skincare regime.

Here is the step-by-step process that you will need to follow:

1. Firstly, wash your face and pat dry it. You can also air dry but make sure no moisture is left-back.
2. Now take a cotton pad or cotton ball and drop some Astringent into it.
3. Further dab the cotton onto your face, especially on the oily regions.
4. Lastly, follow it up with a moisturizer and then a sunscreen lotion.

After using Astringent, you may feel tightened and pulled up the skin.

Some individuals may also feel a little tingling due to the presence of Rubbing Alcohol in it, but that’s completely ok.

Can I add Rubbing Alcohol in my skincare regime instead of Astringent?

Even though Rubbing Alcohol acts as Astringent and is a prominent ingredient of this skincare liquid, swapping them both isn’t highly recommended.

It is because Rubbing Alcohol upon absorption on your skin can lead to skin poisoning. Also, using it as a standalone liquid can prove very harsh on your skin.

Maybe once or twice, it might suit you, but repeating its usage will soon start showing adverse results.

Instead, if you are really looking to swap Alcohol-based Astringents with anything else, here are some tips:

• Use Witch hazel
• Use Aloe vera with Rose Water
• Use Glycerine with Rose Water
• Use Cucumber witch hazel toner
• Use Green tea
• Use Apple Cider vinegar

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Wrapping up…

Rubbing Alcohol is a common ingredient in 60% of cosmetic and makeup products.

However, we do not recommend using it directly on any skin type.

Regardless of how many benefits it offers, Rubbing Alcohol will also work as a skin irritant.

Thus, the next time you want to use Rubbing Alcohol as an Astringent, think twice.

References

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astringent
• https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/Astringent

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