Restricted

Methyl Alcohol

A cosmetic ingredient used as denaturant, solvent in skincare, haircare, and personal-care products sold in the European Union.

What is it?

Methanol

What does it do?

Methyl Alcohol is listed in the EU cosmetic ingredient inventory with the following declared functions:

  • Denaturant

    makes ethanol in cosmetics unfit for drinking — required by regulation when alcohol is used

  • Solvent

    dissolves other ingredients into a uniform liquid phase

EU regulatory status

This ingredient is restricted in the European Union.

Methyl Alcohol is listed under Annex III of EU Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009 (entry 52). It is permitted only under specific conditions, concentration limits, or in particular product types.

Frequently asked questions

What is Methyl Alcohol?

Methyl Alcohol is a cosmetic ingredient catalogued in the EU CosIng database. Methanol

Is Methyl Alcohol allowed in cosmetics in the EU?

Only with restrictions. Methyl Alcohol is permitted in EU cosmetics only under specific conditions defined in Annex III of Regulation 1223/2009.

What does Methyl Alcohol do in cosmetic products?

Methyl Alcohol is declared in the EU cosmetic ingredient inventory with these functions: denaturant, solvent.

What is the CAS number of Methyl Alcohol?

The CAS (Chemical Abstracts Service) number for Methyl Alcohol is 67-56-1.

Related ingredients

Source: EU CosIng database (European Commission). This page is derived from public-sector information published by the European Commission. · Last updated: 15/10/2010