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SDA 40-B, SDA 3-C, and essential oil denatured SDA 38-B, in 190 and 200 proof, Kosher and Halal certified and in stock.
If you need Specially Denatured Alcohol for a cosmetic, pharmaceutical, or industrial formulation, the real question isn't whether Lab Alley carries it. It's whether you have the paperwork ready. SDA is tax free ethanol, but the TTB requires an Industrial Alcohol User Permit before you can buy 5 gallons or more, and the wrong formula for your process can mean a failed batch or a compliance problem.
Lab Alley carries three SDA formula families, ready to ship at 190 or 200 proof: SDA 40-B, the near odorless standard for cosmetics and personal care; SDA 3-C, an isopropanol denatured formula for industrial and cosmetic processing; and SDA 38-B, denatured with bergamot, eucalyptus, or lavender oil so the denaturant works as a fragrance ingredient instead of something to mask. All six SKUs are Kosher and Halal certified, with SDS and COA available on every order, so you can match formula to application and get your permit on file before the order ships.
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About Specially Denatured Alcohol (SDA)
Specially Denatured Alcohol (SDA) is ethanol denatured under a specific TTB formula defined in 27 CFR Part 21, using a denaturant chosen to fit an authorized end use rather than to make the alcohol as hard to reverse as possible. That's the key difference from completely denatured alcohol: SDA formulas use lighter, more targeted denaturants like tert-butyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, or essential oils, which is what makes them usable in topical and cosmetic products. Lab Alley's SDA is available at 200 proof (100%) and 190 proof (95%), each fully denatured and exempt from federal beverage alcohol excise tax.
COMMON APPLICATIONS
SDA is used in perfumes and colognes, hand sanitizers, facial toners and skin care, hair sprays and deodorants, external pharmaceutical preparations, and as a processing solvent in industrial and cosmetic manufacturing.
GRADES EXPLAINED
The formula number identifies the denaturant and the authorized uses, not just the concentration. SDA 40-B uses tert-butyl alcohol and denatonium benzoate at a low enough loading to stay virtually odorless, which is why it dominates fragrance, hair care, and hand sanitizer formulations. SDA 3-C uses isopropyl alcohol as the denaturant and suits industrial solvent use and cosmetic manufacturing processes where the alcohol is a processing aid rather than a finished product ingredient, though it cannot be substituted for Reagent alcohol (that requires SDA 3-A, which Lab Alley doesn't currently carry). SDA 38-B uses an approved essential oil, bergamot, eucalyptus, or lavender, as the denaturant, so the fragrance becomes part of the finished product instead of something to formulate around. Proof follows the same logic as denatured ethanol: 200 proof is anhydrous and suits concentration sensitive formulas, while 190 proof costs less where a small water fraction doesn't matter.
What's the difference between SDA and denatured (CDA) ethanol?
SDA uses a TTB specified, formula specific denaturant chosen to fit an authorized end use, like the tert-butyl alcohol in SDA 40-B or the essential oils in SDA 38-B, and requires an Industrial Alcohol User Permit for larger orders. Completely denatured alcohol uses a heavier denaturant load that's harder to separate but doesn't require a permit. Both are tax free and non-beverage, but SDA formulas are built for specific, often topical, applications that CDA isn't approved for.
What does 200 proof mean versus 190 proof SDA?
Proof is twice the percent ethanol by volume, so 200 proof is 100% ethanol and 190 proof is 95%, with water making up the rest. 200 proof suits anhydrous formulations where any water content is a problem, while 190 proof works for most cosmetic and industrial uses at a lower cost.
Do I need a TTB permit to buy SDA?
Yes, if you're ordering 5 gallons or more. Federal law requires an Industrial Alcohol User Permit to purchase Specially Denatured Alcohol, and for orders of 5 gallons or more we'll need a copy of your permit before the order ships. Email it to customercare@laballey.com with your order number once you've checked out.
Which SDA products are Kosher or Halal certified?
All six SDA formulas Lab Alley carries, SDA 40-B, SDA 3-C, and all three SDA 38-B essential oil variants, are Kosher and Halal certified. That covers every proof and denaturant combination on this page.
Can SDA be shipped to a residential address?
No. Like our other flammable and regulated chemicals, SDA can only ship to businesses, schools and universities, or laboratories. If a residential address is used at checkout, we'll remove the item from your order before it ships, so use a commercial or institutional address to avoid delays.
Which SDA formula should I use for a cosmetic product versus a lab or industrial process?
For fragrance, skin care, or hand sanitizer, SDA 40-B (odorless) or SDA 38-B (bergamot, eucalyptus, or lavender) are built for topical use. For industrial solvent work or cosmetic manufacturing where the alcohol is a processing aid rather than a finished ingredient, SDA 3-C is the more cost effective choice. Note that SDA 3-C cannot substitute for Reagent alcohol; that specific use requires SDA 3-A, which Lab Alley doesn't currently stock.
How is SDA different from our Denatured (CDA) ethanol?
SDA is denatured to a specific, TTB approved formula tied to an authorized use and requires a permit for larger orders. Our Denatured (CDA) ethanol uses a heavier denaturant load that's permit free but isn't approved for the topical and cosmetic applications SDA formulas are built for. If your process doesn't need a specific SDA formula, CDA is the simpler path.
Can I buy SDA in drums or totes?
Yes. Most SDA formulas on this page ship from 500 mL bottles up to 55 gallon drums, with 270 gallon totes available on most SKUs as well. Just remember that orders of 5 gallons or more require a TTB permit on file before we can ship. Contact us through Bulk & Custom Chemicals for volume pricing.
Guides & Resources
Types of Specially Denatured Ethanol
What are the different types of specially denatured ethanol? Learn the differences between food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical grades, plus their key applications.
Discover how to safely store specially denatured ethanol. Learn best practices for storage, handling, and labeling to maintain quality, prevent contamination, and ensure compliance.
Shelf Life & Expiration of Specially Denatured Alcohol
Learn the shelf life and expiration signs of specially denatured ethanol. Understand storage conditions, moisture sensitivity, and how to extend stability for food, pharma, and industrial uses.
Industries That Use Specially Denatured Alcohol (SDA)
Personal Care & Cosmetics
Explore high-quality chemicals and ingredients for personal care and cosmetics, including glycolic acid, ethanol, and denatured alcohol for formulations.
This chemical will only be shipped to addresses that are:
Businesses
Schools and Universities
Laboratories
If you use a residential address during checkout, we will automatically remove this item from your order prior to shipping.
If your order includes more than 1 lb of mercury, it must be shipped to a commercial address, lab, or school.
Please note that we’re unable to ship mercury—of any amount—to apartments or shipping/parcel stores. We also cannot ship any quantity of mercury to Canada.
Ineligible orders will be automatically canceled.
This product contains methylene chloride (DCM) and is subject to U.S. EPA regulations.
Please complete the required eligibility verification form at checkout to confirm compliance with EPA requirements.
Orders will not ship until eligibility has been verified and approved.
This product can only be shipped to a commercial or industrial facility equipped to safely handle it — including proper ventilation, PPE, and safety protocols appropriate for this chemical. This includes laboratories and universities, provided they have the proper adaptations in place. Not all business addresses qualify; the facility type must be suited to handling this specific product.
Before shipping, the delivery address will be verified (e.g., via satellite imagery) to confirm it is an appropriate facility type.
If you have questions about whether your facility qualifies, please contact us before placing your order.
If you are purchasing SDA in 5 gallons or more, you are required to provide a TTB permit showing how much of the product you are allowed to purchase per year. Please email your TTB permit to customercare@laballey and include your Order Number.
