Is Rubbing Alcohol Acne, Good or Bad

One of the most debatable questions since of late, in the avenue of home remedies, has been about the use of rubbing alcohol as acne treatment.

Different people are coming forward with varied views about the substance, which is also called as isopropyl alcohol.

Some sources claim isopropyl alcohol to be an excellent cure, while others maintain that it actually exercises a damaging effect on skin.

Here we attempts to provide precise information based on both these views. This will give you better clarity on the topic of rubbing alcohol acne, good or bad.

What is Rubbing Alcohol?

Before focusing on whether the cure is good or bad, it will not be inappropriate to have a basic understanding of what rubbing alcohol is.

Rubbing alcohol is a solution that consists of isopropyl alcohol ranging between 60 and 90% (1). The remaining 10-40% of the solution is constituted of water.

Here, a crucial fact is worthy of note. The other alcohol-based skincare products for treating acne, in the market, contain also few more ingredients. But in case of isopropyl alcohol, it is just alcohol and water!

Rubbing Alcohol- A Salient Aspect

The capability of rubbing alcohol as an antiseptic and a disinfectant is unquestionable. As a matter of fact, the mainstream medicine makes extensive use of this substance, for that purpose. It is only the contention that it heals acne, as well, which is clouded in ambiguity.

Isopropyl Alcohol for Acne- The Perspective of Proponents

People who firmly support the rubbing alcohol acne remedies back their view with some key points. Take a glance of few of those.

• Isopropyl alcohol comes with strong antimicrobial effects that destroy the acne-causing bacteria.
• The ingredient also has astringent property and as a result, successfully combats acne.
• The supporters of this cure maintain that it makes the acne to get dry and disappear.

Rubbing Alcohol on Face Acne- The Viewpoint of Opponents

Now, the other side of the coin needs to be examined. This is about the arguments of sources that forcefully oppose the use of this alcohol to treat acne.

• Rubbing alcohol dries down not just the acne, but also the skin. This, in turn, can cause intense burning sensation.
• The alcohol kills cells of the skin leading to blockage of pores.
• If the substance comes into contact with eyes, it exposes you to the risk of irrevocable damage (to eyes).
• Assuming that the alcohol works for few people, the supposed benefits will be there only for short period. Also, the side reactions outweigh the purported gains!
• Using the substance for long durations drastically increases the susceptibility to various skin conditions. Few of these can also mar the appearance of your face!
• One should not get deceived by the cool feeling experienced, on cleaning the face with isopropyl alcohol.

More: Home Remedies for Acne Scars

Via Media Approach- Rubbing Alcohol Acne Remedies

On the matter of rubbing alcohol acne, good or bad, there is one more school of thought. This can be considered as an in-between to the 2 mutually opposing points of view.

It is argued that provided your skin is not sensitive, the alcohol can be used to heal acne. But, you are necessitated to use it strictly as prescribed!

According to this approach, these are the 3 ways in which you can rely on ingredient, to get rid of acne:

Method 1- Rubbing Alcohol with Baking Soda

Combine rubbing alcohol with baking soda to get a wonderful anti-acne remedy. Here, the ability of baking soda to maintain the skin PH balance will be of help.

Things you need:

• Rubbing alcohol- ½ tsp
• Baking soda- ¼ cup
• Water- ¼ cup
• Cotton ball- 1

Things you need to do:

1. To being with, rinse the face using clean water and dry it.
2. Now take ½ tsp of rubbing alcohol and 1 cotton ball.
3. Dip the cotton ball in alcohol.
4. Gently wipe the acne-affected sites with it.
5. Then take ¼ cup of water and boil it.
6. Combine this water with ¼ cup of baking soda.
7. Mix thoroughly to form a paste.
8. Spread the paste over the acne.
9. Leave it like that for few minutes.
10. Wash away the paste with warm water.
11. Lastly, take some cool water and once again rinse your facial skin.
12. Repeat the isopropyl alcohol for acne cure1 time every day.

More: Top 24 Home Remedies for Acne

Method 2- Rubbing Alcohol, Tea Tree Oil and Witch Hazel

The method that brings together tea tree oil and witch hazel, along with the alcohol, will be highly useful, too. Depend on this remedy of rubbing alcohol on face acne to get redeemed of the issue!

Things you need:

• Isopropyl alcohol- ½ tsp
• Tea tree oil- ½ tsp
• Witch hazel- 1 tsp

Things you need to do:

1. Take ½ tsp of isopropyl alcohol.
2. Now take 1 cotton ball and soak it in the alcohol.
3. Gently clean the areas on face having acne.
4. Blend ½ tsp of tea tree oil and 1 tsp of witch hazel nicely.
5. Get a new cotton ball and immerse it in this mix.
6. Clean your face with the cotton ball.
7. Wait for half-hour.
8. Rinse the face with cool water.
9. Follow the remedy once daily.

Method 3- Isopropyl Alcohol with Cornstarch and Toothpaste

Are you serious about overcoming the problem of acne? If yes, then you have to give special attention to this treatment method, which is a mixture of rubbing alcohol, cornstarch and toothpaste.

Things you need:

• Rubbing alcohol- ½ tsp
• Cornstarch- ½ tsp
• Toothpaste- ½ tsp

Things you need to do:

1. Take ½ tsp each of rubbing alcohol, cornstarch and toothpaste.
2. Mix all of them until you get a fine paste.
3. Put the paste over the impacted regions of face.
4. Allow that to dry down for 20 minutes or so.
5. Rinse it off using clean water.
6. Use the rubbing alcohol acne cure 1 time each day.

So you now have knowledge about the 3 diverse versions on the subject of rubbing alcohol acne, good or bad.

More: Castor Oil for Acne

Well, you are advised to carefully consider all the above facts and arrive at a decision that is most suitable for you. Your comments on this article are welcome.