Alcohol is found in many cosmetic products. It has a variety of purposes in cosmetics: It acts as an anti-foaming agent, astringent, antimicrobial agent, and a solvent. It also helps deliver the active ingredients of a product and make products absorb and dry faster on the skin. It is not a harmful ingredient to the skin. It's even particularly beneficial for those with oily and/or acne-prone skin type. While you should avoid putting on products that have alcohol in the first 5 ingredients in its list, in small amounts they can help create a smooth matte finish that can absorb skin-loving ingredients better. Other alcohols you might encounter are cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, and lauryl alcohol are derived from fats which are processed to develop a waxy texture. They’re typically used as emulsifiers and stabilizers for texture and moisturization than anything else. They are not harmful and can be particularly good fits for dry skin types.