Ethyl alcohol (also known as grain alcohol or ethanol) is the "best" dehydrant
among the common alcohols.  That doesn't mean that other alcohols won't
dehydrate as thoroughly.  It just means they won't do the job as fast.
"Rubbing alcohol" was always isopropyl alcohol (isopropanol) until recent
years, when many manufacturers changed to ethyl alcohol.  Isopropyl can still
be found in some stores though - check the label.  However, isopropyl rubbing
alcohol is usually 90% concentration, while ethyl rubbing alcohol is usually
70%, so from that point of view the stronger isopropyl solution will dehydrate
more thoroughly (even if more slowly) than the weaker 70% ethyl solution.
Methyl alcohol (methanol, wood alcohol, shellac thinner) dehydrates faster
than isopropyl but slower than ethyl, but it is fairly toxic when inhaled or
absorbed through the skin, so better to stay away from it.
Paul M.
Rhode Island