Propanediol 1 ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is a water-soluble humectant and solvent that helps dissolve actives, improve slip, and support preservative systems. It also reduces tack in gels and serums compared with heavier humectants.
What does Propanediol 1 do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is a water-soluble humectant and solvent that helps dissolve actives, improve slip, and support preservative systems. It also reduces tack in gels and serums compared with heavier humectants.
Is Propanediol 1 clean?
This ingredient is generally well accepted in clean-beauty frameworks because it is well tolerated, low-odor, and not a common allergen. Clean-standard friction is low, with the main distinction being whether the source is renewable or petrochemical.
Is Propanediol 1 sustainable?
This material is commonly made by fermentation of plant sugars, although petrochemical routes also exist. It is readily biodegradable and does not raise persistence or bioaccumulation concerns in typical rinse-off or leave-on use.
Is Propanediol 1 COSMOS-approved?
It is permitted under COSMOS-natural and COSMOS-organic formulations when it meets the standard’s approved sourcing and processing requirements. From a Green Chemistry view, the fermentation-derived version aligns well through renewable feedstock use, biodegradability, and relatively simple purification.
How does Propanediol 1 work chemically?
The molecule is a small, water-miscible three-carbon compound with two hydroxyl groups, which explains its humectant behavior and broad solvent compatibility. It is commonly used around 1 to 10 percent, is stable across typical cosmetic pH ranges, and can improve preservation by lowering water activity and helping solubilize preservative components.
Last updated 2026-05-14