The ones people ask about
Propylene Glycol
Propylene glycol is a small, synthetic molecule that attracts water. It is used in cosmetics, foods and medicines.
- On a list as
- Propylene Glycol
- What it does
- Humectant and solvent
- Where it comes from
- Synthetic
- Vegan?
- Yes
Why it’s in a formula
It helps skin hold moisture, keeps a formula from drying out, and helps other ingredients dissolve and spread evenly.
- Most people use it without trouble, but it is a recognised cause of contact allergy in a minority: the American Contact Dermatitis Society named it Allergen of the Year in 2018. If you've reacted to it before, check the list.
Where you’ll find it at Divina
Read from each piece’s published ingredient list. 7 pieces.
Le Peptide
Matrixyl 3000 Peptide Serum — 30ml
$128
Listed as Propylene Glycol
Cruelty-free; vegan status not confirmed
Questions
Is propylene glycol safe for skin?
At cosmetic levels it is considered safe and most people tolerate it. A small number of people are allergic or irritated by it; if that's you, avoid the pieces below.
Is propylene glycol the same as antifreeze?
No. Toxic antifreeze is ethylene glycol. Propylene glycol is a different, far safer compound used in food and medicine.
How we know: every ingredient list on this site is the manufacturer’s own, read piece by piece and shade by shade, and the pieces above are worked out from those lists each time the site is built. Ingredient names and functions follow the EU’s CosIng database. This page describes cosmetic ingredients; it isn’t medical advice.
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