In chemistry there is a group of substances with the collective name 'alcohols'. Their physical states range from liquid to solid, with different properties. When 'no alcohol' is stated on a product, this refers to ethyl alcohol, which is also a component of alcoholic drinks.
In cosmetic products, ethyl alcohol has a refreshing and invigorating effect. In the full declaration of the ingredients on the packaging, ethyl alcohol is listed as 'alcohol' or 'alcohol, denat.'. The aliphatic alcohols (e.g. cetearyl alcohol or lanolin alcohol) are solid substances. They are used, for example, as emulsifying agents with a nourishing effect, which give the product the required consistency.