Is Everything Alcohol-Free?

A good question and one that I’m often asked.  

It’s a fair question. We make an anhydrous range, meaning none of our products contain water. That’s why everything we make is alcohol, free. But here’s the twist: not all alcohols are the same. In fact, the word ‘alcohol’ is often misunderstood in the world of skincare, and there’s a fair bit of confusion around it. So, I’ll try to clear this up, based on what I know. 

The Myth of Alcohol in Skincare 

When people ask me about alcohol, they’re usually thinking of the drying, astringent sort, ethyl alcohol (or ethanol). This is the kind present in hand sanitisers, disinfectants, and, of course, alcoholic drinks. This type of alcohol evaporates quickly and is known for stripping away natural oils, which is why it can be problematic in skincare. If you’ve ever used a toner that left your skin feeling tight and parched, the chances are it contained ethanol. 

Not all alcohols are ethanol. There’s a whole family of compounds that fall under the ‘alcohol’ umbrella, some of which are incredibly nourishing for the skin. But, because they all share the word ‘alcohol’ in their chemical names, they often get unfairly grouped together. 

The Good Guys: Fatty Alcohols 

What are fatty alcohols? These are nothing like ethanol. Derived from natural sources like coconut oil, fatty alcohols such as cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, and cetearyl alcohol are rich in their emollient qualities and deeply moisturising. Instead of stripping the protective oil layers on the skin, they help to lock in hydration and create a really lovely, silky texture in creams and balms. 

Fatty alcohols are used to thicken formulations, to stabilise emulsions, and give skincare products that luxurious, velvety feel. They’re skin-friendly and completely non-drying. In fact, they’re one of the reasons why some of the richest, most nourishing creams feel so indulgent. So, if you ever see ‘alcohol’ on a label and it’s one of these, rest assured—it’s a helper, not a hindrance. Even given those qualities, we still don’t use them, preferring instead to stick to natural, plant-based oils and natural waxes. 

Our Philosophy: Anhydrous, Alcohol-Free & 100% Natural 

At our core, we believe in keeping things simple. We make anhydrous skincare, which means our formulations contain no water. Why does this matter? Well, a water-free formulation eliminates the need for synthetic preservatives, which in turn means we can keep our ingredients list minimal and free from anything nasty. It also makes our products highly concentrated. Every single ingredient is there to nourish and protect your skin, with no fillers, and no dilution.

And, because we don’t use water, there’s absolutely no need for ethanol. You’ll never find drying alcohols in anything we make, because they serve no purpose in our philosophy of skincare. We believe in nourishing, protecting, and restoring the skin barrier, not stripping it down. Our belief is simple, nature provides everything we need, and there’s no reason to add anything artificial. This is the ethos we started with in 2010, and we’ve maintained that ethos since then. 

Why Do Some Brands Use Alcohol? 

There are legitimate reasons why some skincare products contain ethanol. It’s often used as a preservative in water-based formulations, as a solvent to help active ingredients penetrate the skin, or to create a light, fast-absorbing texture. Some people tolerate it well, and in small amounts, it’s not necessarily harmful. But in high concentrations, it can be disruptive to the skin barrier, leading to dryness, irritation, and sensitivity. It’s also, in some cases, used as a cheap ingredient to dilute the product. 

Our philosophy is about deeply conditioning, feeding the skin with rich botanical ingredients, and ensuring that every product we make is kind, effective, and long-lasting—without a single synthetic additive in sight. 

The Takeaway 

So, is everything alcohol-free?

If we’re talking about the kind of alcohol that dries out your skin, yes, absolutely. We don’t use ethanol or any other skin-stripping alcohols in our products.

But if you ever come across a mention of alcohol in an ingredients list, don’t panic. If it’s a fatty alcohol, it’s nothing to worry about. Many great brands use fatty alcohols in their skincare range. 

If you’ve made it this far, well done I enjoy digging into the details, so I hope this little exploration into the world of alcohols has been helpful. If you ever have any questions, you know where to find me. 

Warm regards, 
Tommy Crooks