Why 70% is Better than 99% Alcohol for Sanitizing

Why is 70% alcohol actually far superior to 99% alcohol when it comes to disinfecting your tools and workspace? Let’s break down the science behind it in simple terms and explore how to effectively sanitize your gear without sacrificing quality or your safety. Ready to elevate your hygiene game and keep your makeup station spotless? Then let’s jump right in

why 70% is better than 99% alcohol for sanitizing your makeup

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In This Episode We Cover:

• understanding what makes 70% isopropyl alcohol more effective for sanitizing than 99%
• knowing the specific uses for 99% alcohol
• that experimenting with different cosmetic-grade ethanol alcohols might lead to discoveries

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Episode 74: Show notes

It seems like for eons, I’ve been doing it all wrong.
It was always 99% alcohol on our brushes, on our countertops, even on our hands at certain times! 😱

So, while I hate to be the bearer of sad news, this is not the best approach.

Here’s the eye-popping truth pill that we should all be swallowing on why 70% isopropyl alcohol beats 99% for sanitizing makeup tools and surfaces:

Why 70% Alcohol is Superior to 99% Alcohol for Pro Makeup Artists

For professional makeup artists like yourself, maintaining impeccable hygiene is crucial. Like, career make-or-break crucial.

The choice of your sanitizing products is going to significantly impact how “clean” you and your work area really are, not to mention the longevity of your makeup tools as well.

Let’s explore why 70% alcohol is superior to 99% alcohol for sanitizing purposes in the makeup industry.

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Understanding Alcohol as a Sanitizer

Alcohol packs a punch as a disinfectant and is the perfect “solution” to kill bacteria, viruses, and fungi.

Its effectiveness depends on its concentration, with 70% and 99% being two of the most commonly used options for us makeup artists.
While it may just seem like a little bitty insignificant number, the right concentration can make a significant difference in hygiene practices for makeup artists.

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Key Reasons Why 70% Alcohol is More Effective

1. Optimal Water Content

Water’s Role: 70% alcohol contains somewhere in the vicinity of 30% water. And this water enhances its ability to denature proteins in pathogens.
Water is essential in this process because it allows alcohol to penetrate cell membranes more effectively, leading to more efficient killing of microorganisms.

Protein Denaturation: Alcohol works by coagulating proteins. For this to happen, water is necessary to carry the alcohol into the cells of pathogens. Without sufficient water, alcohol cannot permeate the cell wall as effectively, reducing its disinfectant properties.

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2. Slower Evaporation Rate

Contact Time: The 30% water content in 70% alcohol slows down its evaporation rate. And this extra contact time is crucial for allowing the alcohol to penetrate cell walls and denature proteins within pathogens.

Effective Kill Time: 99% alcohol evaporates too quickly, reducing its contact time with pathogens. This quick evaporation does not allow the alcohol sufficient time to break down the cell membranes of microorganisms, making it less effective as a disinfectant.

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3. Enhanced Penetration of Porous Surfaces

Makeup Tools: Makeup brushes, sponges, and other tools are often porous. The presence of water in 70% alcohol enables better penetration into these porous surfaces, ensuring that the disinfectant reaches and kills pathogens residing deep within the material.

Thorough Disinfection: Using 70% alcohol ensures that all parts of your porous tools are sanitized, preventing the risk of cross-contamination and infections. This thorough disinfection is harder to achieve with 99% alcohol due to its rapid evaporation and reduced penetration ability.

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4. Gentler on Tools and Skin

Tool Longevity: 99% alcohol can be harsh on makeup tools, leading to the degradation of materials like brush bristles. The high concentration of isopropyl alcohol can dry out and damage these tools over time, reducing their lifespan.

Skin Irritation: High-concentration alcohol can cause skin irritation for both the makeup artist and the client. 70% alcohol is less harsh, minimizing the risk of skin dryness and irritation while still providing effective disinfection.

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Practical Considerations for Pro Makeup Artists

Ensuring Client Safety

Hygiene Standards: The safety of the people you make up is paramount in the makeup industry. Using 70% alcohol ensures that all tools are thoroughly sanitized, reducing the risk of infections and ensuring a high standard of hygiene. This practice builds trust with clients and upholds professional standards.

Compliance: Many health regulations recommend using 70% alcohol for disinfection due to its proven effectiveness. By adhering to these guidelines, makeup artists demonstrate their commitment to client safety and industry best practices.

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Maintaining Tool Quality

Investment Protection: Quality makeup tools are a significant investment for professional makeup artists. Using 70% alcohol helps maintain the integrity of these tools, prolonging their usability and effectiveness.

Cost Efficiency: Prolonging the life of makeup tools through proper disinfection practices reduces the need for frequent replacements, leading to cost savings for makeup artists.

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Scientific Evidence and Expert Recommendations

Studies and Guidelines: Numerous studies have shown that 70% alcohol is more effective at killing bacteria and viruses compared to higher concentrations. Health organizations, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), recommend using 70% alcohol for disinfection in healthcare and personal care settings.

Microbial Resistance: Research indicates that some microorganisms develop resistance more quickly to higher concentrations of alcohol. This resistance can be mitigated by using 70% alcohol, which maintains its efficacy over time.

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Application Techniques for Makeup Artists

Proper Use: To maximize the effectiveness of 70% alcohol, or rubbing alcohol, makeup artists should ensure that tools are thoroughly wett and allowed sufficient contact time before drying. This practice ensures complete disinfection.

Routine Sanitization: Regular sanitization of tools between clients is essential. Using 70% alcohol as part of a routine cleaning regimen helps maintain consistent hygiene standards. Use of hand sanitizers is also another standard practice to ensure your hands are clean at all times, whether you are near or far from hand washing facilities.

If 70% alcohol is the Winner, Why Use 99% Isopropyl Alcohol Solution at all?

With the overwhelming evidence in favor of a 70% concentration of alcohol being the optimum amount for an effective disinfectant, there are still plenty of reasons to keep 99% in your kit.

And no doubt, you will find that 99% pure isopropyl alcohol will work well as a substitue for more expensive activators or paired solvent products that are sold with alcohol based makeup – particularly palettes.

It might also be a good idea to conduct some tests with various alcohol options. Ethyl alcohol and various ethyl solutions may have a slightly higher water content than 99% but still work well with alcohol-based palettes. They may even have fewer fumes and vapor and be more user-friendly around the eyes than 99% ipa solutions, which we all usually loathe using near the eyes.

On a completely different note, you’ll also find great uses for 99% that all relate to (surprise, surprise) when you want to clean a surface without exposing it to any water at all. Such things as electronic devices, your computer keyboard, remote controls, that sort of thing.

For professional makeup artists, the choice of sanitizing products is crucial for ensuring client safety and maintaining tool quality.

70% alcohol provides optimal disinfection due to its balanced water content, slower evaporation rate, better penetration of porous surfaces, and gentler impact on tools and skin.

By incorporating 70% alcohol into your hygiene practices, makeup artists and makeup fans at home can upkeep high standards of cleanliness and professionalism, ensuring the best outcomes for their actors, performers, workspaces and business.

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