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Who regulates ethanol in cosmetics? FDA? IFRA? ATF?
Could someone please link me to the regs of ethanol in cosmetics. Of primary concern is denatured vs (I guess) food grade?
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6 Replies
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Best to direct this query to your local cosmetics regulatory authority. And in posts like this, always a good idea to mention your location.
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Hawaii USA.
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Then my advice would be to direct your inquiry in writing (email should be OK) to the cosmetics regulatory authority in Hawaii USA. The Chemists Corner in my opinion is not the place to have definitive answers on regulatory issues.
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Not sure if this is what you after but this this link gives the list of which denatured formulas can be used in which products (including cosmetic products such as shampoos).
https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-27/chapter-I/subchapter-A/part-21#part-21
There is also this from the FDA
https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetics-labeling-claims/alcohol-free
and this
https://www.cosmeticsinfo.org/ingredient/alcohol-and-alcohol-denat/
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Thank you….I think I found what I was looking for. I KNEW….it would be all about the money. And the concern was that alcohol for consumption is heavily taxed, and denatured can be sold for much less due to the fact it does not bear much of the tax burden.
However… living on a tropical island in the middle of the Pacific….changes a lot of the variables. I cannot just call up Lab Alley, and have them ship me ethanol due to most everything coming to the island by air. Hence, I can actually buy 190 proof ethanol, taxes and all, at the liquor store for less than I can get the cheap stuff shipped here.
This statement from the FDA link:
“To prevent the ethyl alcohol in a cosmetic from being diverted illegally for use as an alcoholic beverage, it may be “denatured.” This means that it contains an added “denaturant” that makes it undrinkable.”
The way I read that (with an emphasis on the word ‘may’), if I pay the taxes at the retail liquor store, then everyone is happy. If anyone has seen something that contradicts this, please advise me.
Aloha and Thank You.
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Primary as oz girl commented the ATF CFR 27 chapter 21.
https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-27/chapter-I/subchapter-A
ecfr.gov
eCFR :: 27 CFR Chapter I Subchapter A -- Alcohol
eCFR :: 27 CFR Chapter I Subchapter A -- Alcohol
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