You can use small amounts of rubbing alcohol to remove dirt from your skin. But, you shouldn’t use it regularly. Otherwise, it will dry your skin and give your skin problems, if any, make the problems much worse.
Exfoliating healthy skin can help remove dead skin cells and leave your skin looking and feeling better. But exfoliating with rubbing alcohol isn’t approved by experts. Especially if you’re dealing with common skin issues such as acne and breakouts.
Rubbing alcohol will make things much worse! While you can safely use small amounts of it to remove dirt from your skin as it can’t go through your skin to any significant level, you shouldn’t do it regularly.
Below, I will list other natural products you can use to remove dirt from your skin, so let’s begin.
Does Rubbing Alcohol Remove Dirt From Skin?
Keep in mind that rubbing alcohol is a chemical with at least 70% alcohol and the wrong use of this chemical can cause serious side effects.
Some of those side effects include skin irritation and while rubbing alcohol isn’t toxic, it can still cause excessive dryness and ruin your skin’s barrier consisting of natural oils that keep your skin hydrated.
You also shouldn’t use rubbing alcohol on open wounds, oily skin, and acne breakouts. Instead of solving the problem, rubbing alcohol can make matters worse by altering the balance of your natural oils and causing another breakout.
When cleaning wounds, use only soap and water. And if you’re dealing with acne, use over-the-counter products with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid.
Uses For Rubbing Alcohol
While you can’t use rubbing alcohol for exfoliating your skin, you can still use it for both personal and household purposes such as the following:
- Disinfecting tick bites
- Decreasing body odor
- Caring for pierced ears
- Deodorizing footwear
- Deodorizing living spaces
- Making homemade ice packs
- Cleaning and disinfecting different surfaces such as hard surfaces, electronic devices, etc.
- Disinfecting cloths and sponges
- Cleaning jewelry
- Alleviating nausea after a medical procedure
When To Avoid Using Rubbing Alcohol
You should definitely avoid using rubbing alcohol for the next purposes:
- Bathing
- Decreasing a fever (inhaling large amounts of rubbing alcohol can cause extra health problems such as cardiac problems, neurological problems, alcohol poisoning, and coma)
- Treating acne, breakouts, and/or lice
- Sterilizing medical and surgical tools
- Internal use (drinking rubbing alcohol can cause sedation, slurred speech, lack of stability when walking, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, bleeding in the intestines and stomach, low blood pressure, dehydration, shock, and coma)
WARNING: If you or someone else accidentally drinks rubbing alcohol, immediately call 911 for emergency medical treatment.
10 Ingredients You Can Use To Remove Dirt From Skin
Instead of rubbing alcohol, you can use any of the next natural ingredients to remove dirt from your skin and exfoliate it without causing any damage.
Avocado
You can not only spread avocado on your toast but also your face. It’s a fruit rich in essential antioxidants, vitamins, and nutrients, which is why many companies include it in their skincare products. Avocado also has skin moisturizing and anti-aging properties.
Instructions:
Obtain 1 avocado, 1 tablespoon of honey, and 1 tablespoon of essential oil (lavender, jojoba, tea tree, peppermint, or rose oil).
Cut the avocado into 2 pieces and make a pulp. Take a small bowl and add the honey to it. Then, add a few drops of essential oil and blend everything.
Apply the paste to your face and leave it on for about 30 minutes. Rinse it off and repeat this process once a week for better results.
Coffee
I’ve been using coffee as a natural skin exfoliator for many years. It’s rich in antioxidants and brings out the natural glow of the skin.
The best part? Coffee can help reverse the damage caused by UV rays by encouraging the production of elastin and collagen.
Instructions:
Obtain 2 tablespoons of coarsely grounded coffee powder and 2 tablespoons of tea tree oil. Mix the two ingredients in a small bowl.
Apply the mixture to your face and leave it on for about 10 minutes, then rinse it off and pat dry your face with a clean towel.
I highly suggest that you repeat this process once a week for better results.
Oatmeal
Oats not only help exfoliate the skin by removing oil, dirt, grime, and dust particles present on the skin but also decrease inflammation.
Instructions:
Obtain 1 tablespoon of coarsely grounded oatmeal, 1 tablespoon of brown sugar, and 1 tablespoon of honey.
First, add 1 teaspoon of brown sugar and 1 teaspoon of honey to a small bowl. Then, add 1 teaspoon of oatmeal to the mix and blend everything.
Scrub your skin with it as you would with a commercial face exfoliator for 5-10 minutes. Leave it on for 5 more minutes. Rinse it off with cold water. You can repeat this process once a week for better results.
Apple And Cornmeal
Apples have vitamin C which helps in keeping the elasticity of the skin by encouraging the natural production of collagen. You can combine apples with cornmeal and make your face scrub that will remove any dirt from your skin.
Instructions:
Obtain ½ apple, 1 tablespoon of coarsely grounded cornmeal, 1 tablespoon of honey, 2 tablespoons of sugar, and a few walnuts.
Cut your apple into small pieces and grind the pieces slightly until you get a pump. In a small bowl, add the cornmeal and 1 teaspoon of honey and blend well.
Grind your walnuts until they turn into powder. Add the powder to the mixture along with the sugar. Add the apple pulp and apply the mixture to your face.
Using your fingertips massage the mixture into your skin in a circular motion for about 5 minutes. Leave it on for 5 more minutes, then rinse it off with warm water. Repeat this process once a week for better results.
Orange Peel
Oranges also have vitamin C that can not only keep your skin elastic but also make it brighter.
Thanks to the anti-bacterial and anti-microbial properties of the orange peel, you can remove any dirt from your skin, soothe inflammation, and heal acne.
Instructions:
Obtain1 tablespoon of orange peel powder, 2 tablespoons of sandalwood powder, and ½ teaspoon of lemon juice. Add all the ingredients to a small bowl and blend well. Then, apply the mixture to your face and let it sit for about 30 minutes. Rinse it off with water and repeat this process once a week for better results.
Tomato
Tomatoes contain lycopene. It’s a compound that helps protect skin from the dangerous UV rays. Additionally, it’s a great anti-aging agent and prevents lines and wrinkles.
Instructions:
Obtain 2 tablespoons of tomato juice, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon of yogurt. Add the ingredients to a bowl and blend well.
Apply the mixture to your face and neck and leave it on for about 15 minutes. Rinse it off with cold water and repeat the process once per week for better results.
Turmeric
Tumeric has many antioxidants that help remove free radicals from your skin, therefore making it healthier from within. Additionally, it also encourages the natural production of collagen.
Instructions:
Obtain 1 teaspoon of Turmeric powder and 1 teaspoon of honey. Mix the ingredients in a small bowl. Apply the paste to your face and neck and leave it for about 15 minutes.
Rinse it off with cold water and repeat the process once a week for better results.
Sugar
Sugar can help remove dead skin cells and dirt and dust particles from the skin when used as a scrub. It can also draw the moisture from the environment since it’s a natural humectant, and locks it in the skin, therefore hydrating your skin.
Instructions:
Obtain 1 tablespoon of sugar and 1 tablespoon of honey. Mix the ingredients in a small bowl. Then, apply the mixture to your face and use it as a scrub for about 5 minutes. Then, leave it on for 10 more minutes. Rinse off with water. Repeat the process once a week for better results.
Sandalwood
Sandalwood has many anti-inflammatory and medicinal properties that can soothe skin and solve certain skin issues. For instance, sandalwood can relieve skin from sunburns, rashes, redness, itching, etc.
Instructions:
Mix 1 tablespoon of sandalwood powder, 2 tablespoons of rosewater, and 1 tablespoon of Multani mitti in a small bowl.
Apply the paste to your face and let it stay for about 20 minutes. Rinse it off with regular water and repeat this process once a week for better results.
Walnuts
Walnuts contain antioxidants that can help you prevent the early signs of aging. It also has vitamin B for stabilizing stress and mood and vitamin E which prevents aging.
Instructions:
Obtain 3-4 walnuts and 2 tablespoons of yogurt. Crush the walnuts into tiny pieces, then add them to a small bowl along with the yogurt and blend well.
Wash your face with warm water so that your pores open and take in the mixture. Then, apply the mixture and leave it on for about 10 minutes.
Rinse it off with regular water as cold water closes the pores. Repeat this process once a week for better results.
FAQs On Does Rubbing Alcohol Remove Dirt From Skin
Can I Clean My Body With Rubbing Alcohol?
Although 70% rubbing alcohol is more skin-friendly, you shouldn’t be using it to clean your face or body. Rubbing alcohol will leave your skin feeling cleansed and refreshed. But it can also cause excessive dryness, irritation, breakouts, etc.
Does Rubbing Alcohol Get Rid of Blackheads?
Rubbing alcohol won’t remove blackheads but it will definitely dry out your skin, so stay away from it.
