murphyMethyl Alcohol
AKA: Methanol, 67-56-1, Wood alcohol, Methylol, Wood naphtha, Methyl hydroxide, Monohydroxymethane, Methylalkohol, Alcool methylique
Synthetic
Solvent
Not Clean
OriginProduced synthetically from carbon monoxide and hydrogen through catalytic conversion processes. Manufactured via the hydrogenation of carbon monoxide using metal catalysts at high pressure and temperature.
Methanol is the simplest alcohol, and is a light, volatile, colourless, flammable, poisonous liquid with a distinctive odor that is somewhat milder and sweeter than ethanol (Wikipedia). Methanol is responsible for accidental, suicidal, and epidemic poisonings, resulting in death or permanent sequelae. Toxicity is due to the metabolic products of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase. (A7768). The rapid and accurate diagnosis of toxic alcohol poisoning due to methanol (methyl alcohol) is paramount in preventing serious adverse outcomes. The quantitative measurement of specific serum levels of methanol using gas chromatography is expensive, time consuming and generally only available at major tertiary-care facilities. (A7769).
Solubility greater than or equal to 100 mg/mL at 70 °F (NTP, 1992)
Formula
CH4O
Mol. Weight
32.04
CAS #
67-56-1
Form
Liquid
State
Methanol appears as a colorless fairly volatile liquid with a faintly sweet pungent odor like that of ethyl alcohol. Completely mixes with water. The vapors are slightly heavier than air and may trave
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Caution
Functions
Denaturant
Solvent
Dissolves other ingredients so they distribute evenly in the formula. Often the invisible "base" everything else is mixed into.
Antioxidant
Provides scent
Makes alcohol undrinkable
Dissolves other ingredients
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewed1 paper →
⚖️Regulatory1 listing →
🛡️Safety-assessed2 reviews →
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
EWG
4
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Caution
CIR Safety Findings
Mixed Eye Irritation Results
3 studies / 2 irritating / 1 not irritating / reactions moderate to severe (CIR 331)
Skin Irritant in Testing (CIR Panel on the ingredient group)
CIR Panel statement covering this group of ingredients / not tested individually (CIR 331)
Dermal Absorption 0.48–44.2%
8 results from in vitro tests in the CIR safety assessment (CIR 331)
Concentration Guide
Leave-on0.005–0.006%
Rinse-off0.15%
0%50%100%
Reg. limit 5%
CIR reported use · 2021 survey
EU regulatory limit: 5%. % of ethanol and isopropyl alcohol) Source: EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) 1223/2009, Annex III (Restricted Substances), Entry 52.
Regulatory Agencies
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR