“1,2-Hexanediol?”Here!
Appears in 2 scanned products.
In personal care
A small glycol molecule used widely in cosmetic formulations, structurally similar to other diols like propanediol.
Why it’s used
Serves multiple functions: as a solvent to help dissolve other ingredients, as a humectant contributing to texture, and notably as a preservative booster that enhances the effectiveness of other preservative systems, allowing some formulas to reduce traditional preservative levels.
What the evidence says
We haven’t found a source for this one that you can open and check, so we’re not summarizing the evidence.
Look it up yourself
We would rather point you at the shelf than summarize something you can’t check. These are the same places we search:
- PubChem — what the substance is, chemically — names, synonyms and structure
- PubMed — every paper indexed by the US National Library of Medicine that names it
These are starting points, not our findings — we haven’t run them for you. A substance whose name is also an ordinary word (“Heart”, “Alanine”, “Water”) will return papers that are not about the ingredient at all.
Context
Used in both rinse-off and leave-on products; its preservative-boosting function depends on the overall formulation and concentration.
Rumors
1,2-Hexanediol can cause dermatitis and irritation, especially around the eyes.
Supports — establishedhealth and safety evidence
Studied in: rabbits (eye irritation test) and workers/occupational dermal contact.
Measured as an outcome.
- Supporting Information for Low-Priority Substance 1,2-Hexanediol (CASRN 6920-22-5) Final Designation (Regulatory) · Funded by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (government)
- BLUE Caprylyl Glycol CIR EXPERT PANEL MEETING JUNE 27-28, 2011 (Industry review) · Funding not checked
Who’s saying this
- beautytap.com — we haven’t checked who runs this site yet
1,2-Hexanediol is non-irritating and well tolerated by most skin types.
Supports — suggestivehealth and safety evidence
Measured as an outcome.
- BLUE Caprylyl Glycol CIR EXPERT PANEL MEETING JUNE 27-28, 2011 (Industry review) · Funding not checked
- Supporting Information for Low-Priority Substance 1,2-Hexanediol (CASRN 6920-22-5) Final Designation (Regulatory) · Funded by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (government)
- Safety of a preservative system containing 1,2-hexanediol and caprylyl glycol (Peer-reviewed) · Funding not checked
Who’s saying this
- aloderma.com — we haven’t checked who runs this site yet
1,2-Hexanediol softens skin and restores its suppleness as an emollient.
We haven’t found evidence strong enough to support this or rule it out.
What was measured is not yet noted.
Who’s saying this
- us.typology.com — we couldn’t open the site to see who runs it
1,2-Hexanediol boosts the antimicrobial/preservative effect of other ingredients in a product.
Supports — suggestivehealth and safety evidence
Measured as a biomarker.
- Food-grade antimicrobials potentiate the antibacterial activity of 1,2-hexanediol (Peer-reviewed) · Funding not checked
Who’s saying this
- glovesinabottle.com — we haven’t checked who runs this site yet
1,2-Hexanediol hydrates skin by acting as a humectant that holds moisture in the skin.
Not gradedhealth and safety evidence
Sources cited — no verdict reached.
What was measured is not yet noted.
- Supporting Information for Low-Priority Substance 1,2-Hexanediol (CASRN 6920-22-5) Final Designation (Regulatory) · Funded by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (government)
Who’s saying this
- glovesinabottle.com — we haven’t checked who runs this site yet