A humectant and solvent that helps retain water and carry ingredients in topical products.
Sources: 11,2-Propanediol, Propane-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
Propylene Glycol
What it does
Supports moisture retention and dissolves compatible ingredients. Its effect on delivery and skin feel depends on the whole formula.
Sources: 1Good for
- Moisturizing formulas
- Solvent systems
How to use it
Use the finished serum, cleanser or moisturizer as directed. This ingredient does not require a separate routine step.
Sources: 1Who should be careful
Irritation and allergic contact reactions can occur, especially in susceptible people. A diagnosed propylene glycol allergy needs ingredient-specific advice rather than automatic avoidance of every glycol.
Sources: 1Pairs well with
No supported pairings have been documented for this record.
Usage, safety and formulation details
Mechanism of action
Propane-1,2-diol mixes with water and interacts with both water and some dissolved materials. It is chemically different from ethylene glycol and from 1,3-propanediol.
Sources: 1Potential adverse effects
Stinging or contact reactions are possible in an individual product; many other formula components can also be responsible.
Sources: 1Formulation considerations
The CIR assessment is conditional on non-irritating formulation. Amount, vehicle, exposure area and skin condition influence tolerance.
Sources: 1Pregnancy 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: 1Regulation and ingredient label names
Regulatory information
No jurisdiction-specific assessment is recorded. An inventory listing is not blanket approval.
Names on ingredient lists
propylene glycol
Chemical identity and molecular structure
Chemical information
Chemical structure
| Detail | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| PubChem CID | 1030 | PubChem compound 1030: chemical identity |
| molecular formula | C3H8O2 | PubChem compound 1030: chemical identity |
| molecular weight | 76.09 g/mol | PubChem compound 1030: chemical identity |
| iupac name | propane-1,2-diol | PubChem compound 1030: chemical identity |
Content updated 9 November 2026.
Sources (2)
Scientific sources
- CIR: Propylene glycol, tripropylene glycol and PPGssafety assessment · 2012
- PubChem compound 1030: chemical identitychemical identity
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