Ingredient guide ›

Propanediol

The helpful solvent.

What it does

Helps other ingredients dissolve and keeps the product from getting too thick.

Good to know

A small, simple molecule from the glycol family, like butylene glycol.

Often found in: Sunscreens, Shampoos, Facial creams

Around the world

• United States: No FDA limit. The FDA doesn't approve cosmetic ingredients before sale. Source
• EU and UK: No special limit in the EU or UK. Source
• Canada: Not on Health Canada's Hotlist of restricted ingredients. Source
• Australia: No limit in Australia's Poisons Standard. Source

Sources

No independent safety review found. The only review is industry-funded.

• CIR: Safety Assessment of Alkane Diols as Used in Cosmetics (2024) (Industry-funded)