“Ethylhexylglycerin?”Here!
Appears in 4 scanned products.
In personal care
A synthetic compound derived from glycerin, commonly used alongside preservatives rather than as one on its own.
Why it’s used
It boosts the effectiveness of other preservatives, allowing formulators to use lower amounts of them, and it also softens skin feel and can reduce the sharpness of some preservative systems' scent.
What the evidence says
A large North American patch-test study found that ethylhexylglycerin caused allergic patch-test reactions in only 0.25% of tested patients, a rate the authors describe as similar to other low-allergenic preservatives like parabens and phenoxyethanol. When reactions did occur, they were most often linked to personal care products such as moisturizers, lotions, and creams, and were judged clinically relevant in about 80% of positive cases. This is a single retrospective patch-test dataset without dose-response or long-term outcome data, and it indicates a rare but real contact-allergy potential rather than a common or well-established risk.
Context
Used in both rinse-off and leave-on products, almost always at concentrations under 1%, paired with a primary preservative rather than replacing one.
Rumors
Ethylhexylglycerin is a contact allergen that causes dermatitis and skin irritation, so it should be avoided in skin care.
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
- Million Marker — a brand: sells mail-in chemical exposure testing and product recommendations
How we know who this is
- “Million Marker is a company dedicated to helping people understand and reduce their exposure to toxic chemicals through mail-in testing, education, and approved product recommendations.” (their page)
- Million Marker — a brand: sells mail-in chemical exposure testing and product recommendations
Ethylhexylglycerin relieves itching and helps treat eczema and dry skin.
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
- Puracy — a brand: sells plant-based cleaning and personal care products
How we know who this is
- “Our founder Sean Busch started Puracy with a single goal: to make effective, plant-based cleaning and personal care products that were gentle enough to use around his growing family.” (their page)
- Puracy — a brand: sells plant-based cleaning and personal care products
Ethylhexylglycerin fights body odor by inhibiting odor-causing bacteria.
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
- Beia — a brand: sells clean body care products for sweat, odor and body blemishes
How we know who this is
- “Beia is clean, functional body care for targeted needs, designed so you never have to compromise how you feel, no matter how busy your day gets.” (their page)
- “We create solution-based products targeted for the concerns women actually deal with like: sweat, odor, and body blemishes.” (their page)
- Beia — a brand: sells clean body care products for sweat, odor and body blemishes
Ethylhexylglycerin moisturizes skin by acting as a humectant that holds in moisture.
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
- Puracy — a brand: sells plant-based cleaning and personal care products
How we know who this is
- “Our founder Sean Busch started Puracy with a single goal: to make effective, plant-based cleaning and personal care products that were gentle enough to use around his growing family.” (their page)
- Puracy — a brand: sells plant-based cleaning and personal care products
Ethylhexylglycerin irritates the skin and eyes.
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
- The Derm Review — a publisher: skincare review site affiliated with Formulyst and Carrot & Stick, whose products it reviews and ranks
How we know who this is
- “The Derm Review launched in 2013 as a comprehensive resource on skincare products, cosmetic ingredients and beauty how to’s.” (their page)
- “THIS SITE IS AFFILIATED WITH FORMULYST AND CARROT & STICK, WHOSE PRODUCTS ARE AMONG THOSE WE REVIEW AND RANK.” (their page)
- The Derm Review — a publisher: skincare review site affiliated with Formulyst and Carrot & Stick, whose products it reviews and ranks