A special blend of ethanol and isopropyl alcohol and is needed to activate all of the Skin Illustrator palettes. It is NOT 99% alcohol. While you can use 99%, Activator has a more mild fragrance and is much easier on the senses. Skin Illustrator Activator is used to activate the make-up pigments in the Skin Illustrator Palettes. A quick spray into the palette and the color is ready to be applied with a brush or makeup sponge. The Activator evaporates out of the makeup after it is applied leaving a semi-permanent makeup. (Do not use anything other than Activator, Skin Illustrator Slow Activator, or 99% alcohol on any of the Skin Illustrator palettes.)