It was not long ago when people were unfamiliar with good alcohols. The perception was that all alcohols are drying to one’s tresses. When the natural hair revolution exploded, we became educated on what our hair actually needed. It is no secret that our hair needs different care than our straight-haired sisters. Becoming educated on the ingredients in hair products is essential in keeping them moisturized, healthy, and strong. You save time and money when product trial and error consistently fail. Now, before we assume, I will explain the difference between good and bad alcohol.
Are All Alcohols Bad For Hair?
No, they are not, and it is good that people are beginning to learn the differences. Doing a little layman’s research is all it takes, but we know you want the 411 on them, so we decided to become super sleuths and do the work for you. For curlies, most short-chained alcohols are considered bad, as they have very few carbon atoms in their backbones, meaning they are liquids that can act as solvents and dissolve the natural protective oils in your skin and hair.
So-called “Bad” Alcohols
I call them so-called bad because they can have limited benefits for curlies. Short-chain alcohols are often used in some hair products for their drying effect. They evaporate quickly, which may be helpful in some regard, but that drying can whisk away the moisture that your hair needs. It appears they are ideal for looser textures like wavy hair and may be used sparingly for tighter textures. They are also used in styling products to ensure proper spreading of the products onto the hair.
- Ethanol alcohol
- Ethyl alcohol
- Propanol alcohol
- Alcohol denat.
- Isopropyl alcohol
- Isopropanol alcohol
- Benzyl alcohol
All of these alcohols have similar functions. In shampoos and conditioners, these alcohols primarily help to mix oil and water and are sometimes antiseptic. These small-chain alcohols are small enough to penetrate the hair shaft and are often the culprit for frizz. Isopropyl alcohol is used to absorb other substances into the hair follicles and is a common ingredient in hair color rinses and the absorption of dyes. Believe it or not, this is a home remedy for removing head lice; some loc wearers use it for that, too.
Good Alcohols
Have you heard of fatty alcohol? Sure you have if you have visited a curly hair care site within the past two years! Fatty alcohols or long-chain alcohols are derived from fat (usually from coconut or palm oil), and they do not act like ethanol or isopropanol.
They have 12 more carbons per molecule, and this higher carbon count tends to make them oilier, which is why they are called fatty.
Read more: All About Alcohols
- Cetyl alcohol
- Cetearyl alcohol
- Stearyl alcohol
- Lauryl alcohol
Image Source: @rizoscurls
These are definitely beneficial to curly hair as they do the following:
- Add moisture by drawing water into the hair
- Add slip for detangling
- Add thickness to a product
They are emulsifiers that aid in mixing water and oil in conditioners and help spread conditioner more easily over the hair.
Alcohols can be used to penetrate the hair shaft, and although they are surfactants, they do not properly cleanse the hair. They tend to be found more in the top five ingredients of daily conditioners and deep conditioners and act as an oily moisturizer that will give your hair a smoother, softer feel by helping the hair cuticle lie flat.
Conclusion
Short-chain alcohols are small enough to penetrate the hair shaft but tend to be drying for textured hair. They are used in some shampoos and conditioners for the product’s spreadability. Because they can allow other substances to be absorbed into the hair follicles, they are common ingredients in color rinses and hair dyes. Fatty alcohols or long-chain alcohols are derived from natural resources like coconut oil and are too big to penetrate the hair shaft.
Their larger carbon makeup causes them to be oily, so they are mostly used for emollients in hair conditioners and deep conditioners. They aid in detangling by giving a product more slip and helping the water and oil mix and not separate in some products. They both serve a purpose, and even the bad ones need not be used sparingly for specific styles. Seeing the full picture should allow you to make better hair ingredient choices and keep your tresses moisturized and healthy.
If you’re still looking to skip using alcohol in your products, check out our list of alcohol-free mousses you can use on your curls, coils, and waves.
