Alcohol Distillation for Cosmetic Products
Alcohol can be found in numerous cosmetic products, including hairsprays, nail polishes, foundations, and perfumes. As a solvent it helps disperse fragrance molecules while simultaneously improving penetration of other ingredients into skin or hair follicles. Alcohol has antimicrobial properties and improves pigment deposits on hair or skin follicles – often known as its “carrier”. Preservative qualities make alcohol useful against bacteria or fungal growth within cosmetic formulations preventing their spread further down the supply chain.
Cosmetic grade alcohol, commonly referred to as ethanol or grain alcohol, may contain organic components if its source material was produced organically. Ethanol is produced through fermentation of grains or plant matter before distillation into high concentration alcohol products through the rectification process; when alcohol vapors return back through this rectifying column and are condensed back into liquid state it forms the reflux ratio which controls product purity and energy requirements.
Benzyl alcohol, C7H8O, is an indispensable ingredient in cosmetic formulations. Used as a preservative against bacteria and fungi growth in moisturisers and shampoos, its mild yet pleasant scent comes from its source: fruit or flowers; alternatively it can also be synthesized synthetically through reduction with sodium hydroxide.