Propyl Gallate ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is an antioxidant used to slow rancidity and color change in oil-rich formulas, especially products containing unsaturated plant oils, butters, or fragrance materials.
What does Propyl Gallate do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is an antioxidant used to slow rancidity and color change in oil-rich formulas, especially products containing unsaturated plant oils, butters, or fragrance materials.
Is Propyl Gallate clean?
From a clean-beauty perspective, it has some friction because it can be flagged for sensitization potential and is restricted or questioned by some retailer standards. It is typically used at very low levels, which helps keep irritation concerns formula-dependent rather than automatic.
Is Propyl Gallate sustainable?
This material is commonly made by esterifying a plant-derived phenolic acid with a three-carbon alcohol that may be petrochemical or bio-based. It is not known for high environmental persistence, but its sustainability profile depends on feedstock sourcing and manufacturing route.
Is Propyl Gallate COSMOS-approved?
It has limited COSMOS alignment and is not a routine permitted antioxidant for COSMOS-natural or COSMOS-organic certification. Green Chemistry fit is mixed, since it can use renewable starting material and low use levels, but it relies on chemical esterification and is less favored than simpler naturally derived antioxidants.
How does Propyl Gallate work chemically?
The molecule is a small phenolic ester with three hydroxyl groups that quench free radicals and help protect lipids from oxidative rancidity. Typical use is about 0.01% to 0.1%, and it performs best in acidic to neutral systems while discoloration can occur in the presence of iron or other reactive metal ions.
Last updated 2026-05-14