A small diol used to support moisture retention and the preservation of cosmetic formulas.
Sources: 1, 2Hexane-1,2-diol
Not assessed
No pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific assessment has been completed for this record. A cosmetic safety review is not a pregnancy rating.
Not assessed
1,2-Hexanediol
What it does
Helps a formula retain water and can contribute to a multi-ingredient antimicrobial system.
Sources: 1, 2Good for
- Moisturizing formulas
How to use it
Use the finished serum, cleanser or moisturizer as directed. This ingredient does not require a separate routine step.
Sources: 1, 2Who should be careful
People who have reacted to a particular formula should check its full ingredient list rather than assume this diol is responsible.
Sources: 1, 2Pairs well with
No supported pairings have been documented for this record.
Usage, safety and formulation details
Mechanism of action
Its two hydroxyl groups associate with water; antimicrobial performance depends on the whole preservative system.
Sources: 1, 2Potential adverse effects
Stinging or contact reactions are possible in an individual product; many other formula components can also be responsible.
Sources: 1, 2Formulation considerations
Assess it in the finished formula. A preservative booster does not replace microbial challenge testing.
Sources: 1, 2Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Not assessed
No pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific assessment has been completed for this record. A cosmetic safety review is not a pregnancy rating.
Safety tags
- Fragrance allergen
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
- Essential oil
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
- Drying alcohol
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
- May irritate sensitive skin
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
What remains uncertain
- Exact concentration, final pH and the full composition of any unprovided finished product
Clinical evidence and research
Clinical evidence
Evidence for its main benefitNot assessed
The cited references support identity, formulation role or safety context. No standalone clinical efficacy rating has been completed for the main benefit in this draft.
Sources: 1, 2Regulation and ingredient label names
Regulatory information
No jurisdiction-specific assessment is recorded. An inventory listing is not blanket approval.
Names on ingredient lists
1,2-hexanediol
Chemical identity and molecular structure
Chemical information
Chemical structure
| Detail | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| PubChem CID | 94335 | PubChem compound 94335: chemical identity |
| molecular formula | C6H14O2 | PubChem compound 94335: chemical identity |
| molecular weight | 118.17 g/mol | PubChem compound 94335: chemical identity |
Content updated 9 November 2026.
Sources (3)
Scientific sources
- CIR: Safety assessment of 1,2-glycolssafety assessment · 2012
- Safety testing of a 1,2-hexanediol/caprylyl glycol preservative systemhuman tolerance study · 2009
- PubChem compound 94335: chemical identitychemical identity
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