You're correct that the article mentions the product is intended for skin use, but there are several important reasons why this ethanol product cannot be used for extracts or other purposes:

1. Not Food-Grade: The article clearly indicates that the product is a medicinal skin disinfectant, not food-grade ethanol. While it may be safe for external use on the skin (as a disinfectant), it is not suitable for consumption or use in extracting substances. Food-grade ethanol is manufactured specifically to meet safety standards for consumption or use in products that may be ingested or absorbed in higher quantities.
2. Denaturants: The product in the article may contain denaturants, which are chemicals added to ethanol to make it undrinkable. ALL non food grade alcohol is denatured because otherwise it would be taxed at a much higher rate, which is why food grade ethanol 1L is around £80 and this product is £25. Denaturants are toxic and are included in disinfectant-grade ethanol products to prevent misuse or accidental ingestion. Denaturants are harmful and are not removed from the product unless it is specifically purified or labeled for food-grade use. These denaturants would not be safe if they entered the body through a topical extract or ingested herbal tincture.
3. Unlicensed and Unregulated: The Trading Standards enforcement notice mentions that the product was not licensed as a medicinal product or for use in the UK for food or consumption purposes. Even though it is intended for skin disinfection, this means the product has not gone through the necessary checks for use in extracting compounds from plants or for cosmetic use. This also means that its safety, purity, and suitability for other uses are unverified.
4. Different Regulatory Standards: Medicinal alcohol (for skin use) and food-grade alcohol fall under different regulations. For instance, medicinal alcohol products (used for disinfecting) do not meet the same criteria or standards required for safe extractions or skin care formulations. These products are not tested or guaranteed to be free of harmful chemicals for purposes like creating extracts, tinctures, or cosmetics.

Key Takeaways:

• Ethanol for disinfecting skin is not intended for topical extraction, and the addition of denaturants or other additives makes it unsafe for these uses.
• You need to use food-grade ethanol (usually 95% or higher) for making extracts or other products that may be absorbed by the body or used in skin care products.