cetyl alcohol

What is denatured alcohol, and why is it used in personal care products?

What exactly is 'alcohol denat.' and why is it included in moisturizers and 'gentle' face washes?

You may be surprised to see how many times “alcohol” appears in the ingredients for common drug store skincare products. Isn’t alcohol drying? So why would companies include alcohols in skincare—especially in products that claim to be hydrating/moisturizing?