If alcohol is drying to the hair, why is it an ingredient in most deep conditioning treatments?

I think it’s a preservative

Not all types of alcohol are the same. I researched this a few years ago because I wondered the same thing. Basically, there are several types of alcohols that are on the moisturizing side of the scale, which is why they are used in shampoos and conditioners.

I actually use a conditioner that has no alcohol or chemicals in it x3 Apparently it’s a “vegan” conditioner. Many shampoos actually do dry out the hair.

Many alcohols used in shampoos are fatty alcohols. These are very different from isopropyl alcohol or ethyl alcohol.

@Glow

Everything on this earth is made of chemicals. A conditioner with no chemicals wouldn’t exist.

@crisw – man made chemicals and sulfates.

Like what @crisw said these “Fatty” alcohols are actually synthetic substitutes for Whale Blubber. Used a while back in a whole bunch of cosmetic products. Had to come up with an alternative. Since we don’t want to hunt the wahle.

It makes the hair shine.

The one you want to avoid are the isopropyl (rubbing) and ethyl (the kind you drink which would not be used in cosmetics unless you made them yourself.) You see ‘denatured alcohol’ a lot. This is drying and stings on open cuts.

Very good article @crisw linked to that answers the alcohol question well, I think.