The truth about alcohol in conditioners

Most of us, (like myself) tend to assume that "alcohol" in cosmetics might equate to dry hair and irritated skin if we use a cosmetic product with alcohol.

What we don't know is that there are "good" alcohols, and "bad" ones. In benign form alcohols are glycols used as humectants that help deliver ingredients into skin and hair. When fats and oils (see fatty acid) are chemically reduced, they become a group of less-dense alcohols called fatty alcohols that can have emollient properties or can become detergent cleansing agents.

The nasty ones have low molecular weights. These include ethanol, denatured alcohol, ethyl alcohol, methanol, benzyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, and sd alcohol, which not only can be extremely drying and irritating to hair and skin, but may be cytotoxic.

The safe ones:

• Cetyl Alcohol
Extracted from coconut oil, it is an emollient that is included in skin care products to stabilize the formulations or to alter their consistencies, or to increase their foaming capacity. It is often included in baby lotions, hand creams, foundation, lipsticks, shampoos, mascara, deodorants, nail polish removers etc. Although generally regarded as a low hazard, there are some studies that have demonstrated that it is an irritant.

• Stearyl Alcohol
Stearyl alcohol is also derived from coconut oil. Because it is an emollient as well as an emulsifier, it can be substituted for cetyl alcohol to firm skin care formulations. It is mostly found in creams, lubricants, depilatories and conditioners.

• Cetearyl Alcohol
Cetearyl alcohol is an emulsifying wax that is used to soften thick formulas like skin ointments. Derived from natural oils and fats, it is very efficient in stabilizing skin care formulations because it imparts an emollient feel to the skin. It can be used in water-in-oil emulsions, oil-in-water emulsions and anhydrous formulations.

Source: http://truthinaging.com/ingredient-spotlight/alcohol-in-cosmetics-is-it-safe

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My Growth: length check Oct. 2011

I received a package of Carol's daughter monoi repairing hair mask a few days ago and decided to try it out yesterday.

I co washed and detangled with my suave humectant conditioner, rinsed then applied CD's hair mask. I left the mask on for about 5 mins, while in the shower allowing the steam to help it penetrate. Then I rinsed with cold water and sprayed my hair with pantene's defending spray. I applied fructis sleek and shine leave in (new formula w/ argan oil) wrapped my hair with my turbie wrap for about a half hour.

I then blow dried my hair on high speed low/ no (cold shot button) heat. Sealed with coconut oil then sectioned off my hair and flat ironed with my slim maxi glide iron, applied fantasia's i.c heat protection serum and bumped my ends with a gold iron. I wrapped my hair applied a little more coconut oil and wrapped with saran wrap abner say under the dryer for 10 mins. Combed down/styled and sprayed very, very lightly with profectiv growth sheen.

I experienced a decent about of growth since the last time I straightened, which was in the beginning of last month. My protective styling technique for the month has been no heat, co wash every few days, moisturize with aussie hair insurance and fructis leave in, and dry in twists overnight with carrot oil on my scalp. I did that for a month and I see the difference.

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