“Hexylene Glycol?”Here!
Appears in 1 scanned product.
In personal care
A synthetic glycol, a small organic molecule related to propylene glycol, used as a liquid solvent and texture modifier in cosmetic formulas.
Why it’s used
Helps dissolve other ingredients, thins out thick formulas, and can improve how a product spreads on skin.
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
The CIR safety assessment notes potential for irritation relates to concentration, and finished products are expected to be formulated to be non-irritating.
Rumors
Hexylene glycol is a humectant that draws moisture into the skin and keeps it hydrated.
Not gradedhealth and safety evidence
Sources cited — no verdict reached.
What was measured is not yet noted.
- OECD SIDS HEXYLENE GLYCOL (Regulatory) · Funded by United Kingdom (Environment Agency) under the ICCA Initiative; underlying studies largely from Shell Chemicals / Elf Atochem
- HEXYLENE GLYCOL – Ingredient - COSMILE Europe (Database) · Funding not checked
Who’s saying this
- The Pink Foundry — a brand: sells pharma quality skincare
How we know who this is
- “The Pink Foundry offers Pharma Quality Skincare.” (their page)
Hexylene glycol is a penetration enhancer that carries other chemicals through the skin into the body.
Supports — suggestivehealth and safety evidence
Studied in: ex vivo human breast skin treated with a 12% Hexylene Glycol pharmaceutical cream formulation.
Measured as a biomarker.
- Pentane-1,5-diol as a percutaneous absorption enhancer (Peer-reviewed) · Funding not checked
- Safety Assessment of Alkane Diols as Used in Cosmetics (Industry review) · Funding not checked
Who’s saying this
- Bubble & Bee Organic — a brand: makes and sells certified organic personal care products
How we know who this is
- “In 2007 Bubble & Bee Organic was born.” (their page)
- “Certified organic since 2009, we blend, bottle and ship to you directly from our facility in Bountiful Utah.” (their page)
Hexylene glycol causes free radical damage as the body breaks it down.
Not gradedhealth and safety evidence
Sources cited — no verdict reached.
What was measured is not yet noted.
- OECD SIDS HEXYLENE GLYCOL (Regulatory) · Funded by United Kingdom (Environment Agency) under the ICCA Initiative; underlying studies largely from Shell Chemicals / Elf Atochem
Who’s saying this
- Bubble & Bee Organic — a brand: makes and sells certified organic personal care products
How we know who this is
- “In 2007 Bubble & Bee Organic was born.” (their page)
- “Certified organic since 2009, we blend, bottle and ship to you directly from our facility in Bountiful Utah.” (their page)
Hexylene glycol is a skin and eye irritant that is corrosive to these tissues.
Does not support — establishedhealth and safety evidence
Measured as an outcome.
- OECD SIDS HEXYLENE GLYCOL (Regulatory) · Funded by United Kingdom (Environment Agency) under the ICCA Initiative; underlying studies largely from Shell Chemicals / Elf Atochem
- Compound Hexylene glycol (2-methyl-2,4- pentanediol) Data collection sheet (Regulatory) · Funded by German Environment Agency (government)
Who’s saying this
- Bubble & Bee Organic — a brand: makes and sells certified organic personal care products
How we know who this is
- “In 2007 Bubble & Bee Organic was born.” (their page)
- “Certified organic since 2009, we blend, bottle and ship to you directly from our facility in Bountiful Utah.” (their page)
Hexylene glycol boosts preservatives, so less preservative is needed and skin is less likely to become sensitised.
Not gradedhealth and safety evidence
Sources cited — no verdict reached.
What was measured is not yet noted.
- Antibacterial and antifungal properties of propylene glycol, hexylene glycol, and 1,3-butylene glycol in vitro. (Peer-reviewed) · Funding not checked
Who’s saying this
- Paula's Choice — a brand: sells its own skincare products
How we know who this is
- “Copyright © Paula's Choice GENERAL CONDITIONS PRIVACY POLICY COOKIE POLICY COOKIE SETTINGS” (their page)
- “Our formulas do what they say, every single time.” (their page)