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Volatile Alcohols
Hello,
I am wondering if there was any significant cosmetic, health or product functionality difference between isopropyl and SD alcohol. I am currently formulating an anhydrous airbrush makeup using a silicone acrylate film former dispersed in a volatile silicone. Aproximately 75% of the fluidic portion is alcohol. I have been using 99% Isopropyl because I have always considered it healthier for the skin, though I am not sure what evidence I am basing this off of. I suppose I was always skeptical of what the denaturing agents were used and if they would be compatible or leave a residue.
I need a carrier that is very fast drying, but I am considering switching to SD alcohol because it is much cheaper.
Any input would be helpful, thanks!
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3 Replies
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Isopropyl alcohol smells worse and may be more drying to the skin (albeit skin drying by alcohols is overstated).
On the other hand, IPA is a much better solvent than ethanol is
so check to make sure ethanol dissolves the other ingredients.You can denature the alcohol yourself. No need to buy readily denatured alcohol.
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IPA dries faster and comes, at an affordable price, water-free whilst ethanol is usually no more than 96% or, if anhydrous, is fairly expensive.Solubility properties aren’t better or worse, they are simply different. Higher hydrophilicity and polarity plus contaminating water and slower evaporation renders ethanol less suitable for airbrushing (higher elution power) unless you like a more ‘diffuse’ colour. Droplets are also tending to dry into coloured circles instead of coloured dots. -
Pharma said:IPA dries faster and comes, at an affordable price, water-free whilst ethanol is usually no more than 96% or, if anhydrous, is fairly expensive.Solubility properties aren’t better or worse, they are simply different. Higher hydrophilicity and polarity plus contaminating water and slower evaporation renders ethanol less suitable for airbrushing (higher elution power) unless you like a more ‘diffuse’ colour. Droplets are also tending to dry into coloured circles instead of coloured dots.
Thank you this helps a lot since I will be using an extremely hydrophobic silicone film former, the hydrophilicity of ethanol is problematic.
Do you find IPA to be more drying to the skin though?
My other issue with ISA is the smell which may give the user the impression of unhealthy fumes, perhaps blending the ISA with SD in 50/50 or 70/30 might work.
I appreciate the feedback.
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