The short answer: rubbing alcohol is usually isopropyl alcohol (IPA), but they are not exactly the same thing. Understanding the difference matters whether you are buying for a lab, a cleanroom, or industrial use.
What is isopropyl alcohol?
Isopropyl alcohol (IPA, isopropanol, CAS 67-63-0) is a pure chemical compound — a clear, colourless alcohol with the molecular formula C₃H₈O. It is available in multiple concentrations (70%, 91%, 99%+) and grades (technical, reagent, USP/pharmaceutical). In its pure, undiluted form, IPA has no additives.
What is rubbing alcohol?
Rubbing alcohol is a consumer product rather than a pure compound. It typically contains 70% isopropyl alcohol in water, but the formulation can also include denaturants (to make it undrinkable) and other additives. Some rubbing alcohol products are made with ethanol rather than IPA — so “rubbing alcohol” does not always mean IPA.
Key differences at a glance
| Property | Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) | Rubbing Alcohol |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Pure chemical compound | Consumer product / mixture |
| Concentration | 70 – 99%+ | Usually 70% (IPA or ethanol) |
| Additives | None (reagent/USP grade) | May include denaturants |
| Active ingredient | Isopropanol | IPA or ethanol |
| Typical use | Lab, industry, pharma, electronics | First aid, surface disinfection |
Why 70% is standard for disinfection
Pure (99%+) IPA evaporates too quickly to kill microorganisms effectively — it needs water to denature proteins and penetrate cell walls. A 70% water–IPA solution stays in contact with the surface long enough to be an effective disinfectant. This is why both rubbing alcohol and disinfection-grade IPA are typically 70%.
When to use pure IPA instead of rubbing alcohol
- Electronics cleaning — 99% IPA leaves no residue; tap-water content in rubbing alcohol can cause corrosion.
- Laboratory and analytical work — reagent-grade or USP-grade IPA guarantees known purity; rubbing alcohol additives would interfere with results.
- Pharmaceutical and cosmetic formulation — USP-grade IPA is required; consumer rubbing alcohol is not suitable.
- Industrial processing — technical-grade IPA is available in bulk at defined concentrations without consumer packaging markups.
Grades of IPA available
When ordering IPA for professional use, specify the grade that matches your application:
- Technical grade — industrial cleaning and processing.
- Reagent / ACS grade — laboratory and analytical use.
- USP / pharmaceutical grade — formulation, medical device manufacture, cosmetics.
See our full guide to chemical purity grades for more detail.
Safe handling
IPA is flammable at all concentrations. Store in sealed containers away from ignition sources and oxidisers. Use with ventilation. An SDS is available on request for every product. See our guide to storing chemicals safely.
Buy isopropyl alcohol from Ozon Chemical
Ozon Chemical supplies isopropyl alcohol (IPA) in reagent and USP grades, as part of a full range of solvents — EU-registered, REACH-compliant, with COA and SDS on request and worldwide shipping.
