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Skincare Ingredient

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Butylene Glycol

In Skincare: Is Butylene Glycol Safe? Comedogenic Rating & Side Effects

Comedogenicity (pore clogging)
1/5 — Very low risk
Safety (overall safety)
1/5 — Very low risk
Irritancy (skin irritation)
2/5 — Low risk

Safety Information

Humectant/solvent considered safe by CIR; low comedogenicity; may rarely cause mild irritation or sensitivity in some individuals especially on compromised skin. Butylene Glycol is generally well-tolerated, with limited reports of adverse effects under normal use conditions. Safety data from the Environmental Working Group also supports its use in cosmetics at typical concentrations.

Quick Insights

At a glance

  • 01

    Butylene glycol is frequently incorporated into skincare formulations to improve texture and facilitate the absorption of other ingredients.

  • 02

    As a hygroscopic ingredient, butylene glycol draws moisture to the skin and can contribute to hydration.

  • 03

    Butylene glycol may enhance the stability of cosmetic formulations.

  • 04

    Butylene glycol appears as a clear, viscous liquid.

  • 05

    Butylene glycol is also referred to as butane-1,3-diol.

Key Benefits

What Butylene Glycol does for your skin

1 benefits
Hydration

Overview

Ingredient Profile

Butylene glycol is a versatile ingredient used in skincare to hydrate the skin and improve its texture. It functions as a humectant, drawing moisture to the skin, and can also act as a solvent and penetration enhancer for other ingredients. Considered safe within typical cosmetic concentrations, butylene glycol is supported by safety evaluations from the Cosmetic Ingredient Review and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Classifications
Humectant
Texture Enhancer

Data & Research

Scientific Facts

Butylene glycol (also known as 1,3-butanediol) readily dissolves oils and synthetic flavoring agents. Hexylene glycol, ethoxydiglycol, and dipropylene glycol are all glycols or glycol ethers – a class of alcohols with two hydroxyl groups.

Common Uses

Formulation in Butylene Glycol

These ingredients are used in cosmetics and personal care products to reduce viscosity (making the product easier to spread) and act as solvents, helping dissolve other ingredients. They are commonly found in hair products, bath products, makeup, fragrances, cleansers, shaving creams, and skin care products.

Role of Butylene Glycol

Active Cosmetic Mechanisms

FRAGRANCE

Scent Provider

Adds pleasant scent to cosmetic products

SCIENTIFIC ANALYSIS

// Evidence: Fragrance ingredients provide aromatic appeal through essential oils, aroma chemicals, and natural extracts. These volatile compounds interact with olfactory receptors creating scent perception. Fragrance design considers top notes (high volatility), middle notes (moderate volatility), and base notes (low volatility) for scent development over time. Must consider stability, allergen content, and regulatory compliance.

HUMECTANT

Moisture Magnet

Attracts and retains moisture in skin and hair

SCIENTIFIC ANALYSIS

// Evidence: Humectant ingredients draw water from the environment and deeper skin layers through hygroscopic properties. Common humectants include glycerin, propylene glycol, hyaluronic acid, urea, and alpha-hydroxy acids. These contain multiple hydroxyl groups or other hydrophilic functional groups that form hydrogen bonds with water molecules. Mechanism involves attracting water to the stratum corneum, reducing transepidermal water loss, and increasing skin hydration.

SKIN CONDITIONING

Skin Enhancer

Maintains skin in good condition and improves its feel

SCIENTIFIC ANALYSIS

// Evidence: Skin conditioning ingredients enhance appearance, texture, and health of skin through various mechanisms. This broad category encompasses emollients, humectants, occlusives, and other agents that improve skin feel, appearance, and function. May work by moisturizing, smoothing, softening, or protecting skin. Effects include improved tactile properties, enhanced barrier function, and better overall skin condition.

SOLVENT

Ingredient Dissolver

Dissolves other ingredients to create uniform formulations

SCIENTIFIC ANALYSIS

// Evidence: Solvents dissolve, dilute, or disperse other ingredients creating homogeneous solutions. Water is universal solvent for hydrophilic ingredients. Organic solvents include ethanol (dissolves fragrances, some actives), propylene glycol, and glycerin. Selection based on polarity matching between solvent and solute. Mechanism involves disrupting intermolecular forces in solute and surrounding with solvent molecules. Critical for maintaining ingredient solubility and product stability.

VISCOSITY CONTROLLING

Thickness Regulator

Adjusts product thickness and flow properties

SCIENTIFIC ANALYSIS

// Evidence: Viscosity controlling ingredients modify product flow characteristics through thickening or thinning. Thickeners include natural gums (xanthan, guar), synthetic polymers (carbomers, acrylates), and inorganic thickeners (silica, clays). Mechanism varies: polymer chain entanglement, hydrogen bonding networks, particle association, or swelling. Rheology modifiers create desired texture, prevent separation, control application properties, and affect sensory perception. Can produce Newtonian (constant viscosity) or non-Newtonian (shear-thinning, thixotropic) flow behavior.

Products

containing Butylene Glycol

32027 formulations
Mini Lightweight Magic Cream Moisturizer
Mini Lightweight Magic Cream Moisturizer
Charlotte Tilbury
Pure Cloud Cream with Arctic Berries
Pure Cloud Cream with Arctic Berries
Skyn Iceland
Derm Pro Solutions For Dehydrated Skin
Derm Pro Solutions For Dehydrated Skin
Clinique

References

Scientific sources

[1]

CosmeticsInfo.org, Accessed March 2021, ePublication

[2]

U.S. Food and Drug Administration Code of Federal Regulations, Accessed March 2021, ePublication

[3]

International Journal of Toxicology, May 2011, pages 5S-16S

[4]

Skin Research and Technology, November 2007, pages 417-24

[5]

Journal of the American College of Toxicology, September 1985, pages 223-248

Semantic Analysis

Similar Ingredients

Ingredients with similar chemical profiles and skincare properties.

Frequently Asked Questions

Butylene Glycol — common questions

What is Butylene Glycol in skincare?

Butylene glycol, hexylene glycol, ethoxydiglycol, and dipropylene glycol are clear, colorless liquids. They are glycols – a type of alcohol containing two hydroxyl groups – and function as solvents within cosmetic formulations.

What does Butylene Glycol do? / Functions of Butylene Glycol?

Common functions: FRAGRANCE, HUMECTANT, SKIN CONDITIONING, SOLVENT, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING.

What is the comedogenic rating of Butylene Glycol? / Is Butylene Glycol comedogenic?
1 1/5 — Very low risk

Butylene Glycol has a comedogenic rating of 1 out of 5. A rating of 1 means it is unlikely to clog pores.

Does it clog pores?
Unlikely to Clog Pores

Butylene Glycol is unlikely to clog pores (rating 1/5).

Is Butylene Glycol safe for skin?
1 1/5 — Very low risk

Butylene Glycol has a safety rating of 1 out of 5. A rating of 1 means it is generally considered safe for most skin types. Note: Humectant/solvent considered safe by CIR; low comedogenicity; may rarely cause mild irritation or sensitivity in some individuals especially on compromised skin. Butylene Glycol is generally well-tole

Is Butylene Glycol good for sensitive skin?
2 2/5 — Low risk

Butylene Glycol has an irritancy rating of 2 out of 5. A rating of 2 means it is generally well-tolerated.

What are the side effects of Butylene Glycol in skincare?

Known considerations: Humectant/solvent considered safe by CIR; low comedogenicity; may rarely cause mild irritation or sensitivity in some individuals especially on compromised skin. Butylene Glycol is generally well-tolerated, with limited reports of adverse effects under normal use conditions. Safety data from the Environmental Working Group also supports its use in cosmetics at typical concentrations.

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