Propanediol in Tanning Lotions: A Deep Dive

• Propylene glycol is a viscous, colorless liquid, which is nearly odorless but possesses a faintly sweet taste. Its chemical formula is CH3CH(OH)CH2OH. Containing two alcohol groups, it is classed as a diol. It is miscible with a broad range of solvents, including water, acetone, and chloroform. In general, glycols are non-irritating and have very low volatility.
• It is produced on a large scale primarily for the production of polymers. In the European Union, it has E-number E1520 for food applications. For cosmetics and pharmacology, the number is E490. Propylene glycol is also present in propylene glycol alginate, which is known as E405.
• Propylene glycol is a compound which is GRAS (generally recognized as safe) by the US Food and Drug Administration under 21 CFR x184.1666, and is also approved by the FDA for certain uses as an indirect food additive. Propylene glycol is approved and used as a vehicle for topical, oral, and some intravenous pharmaceutical preparations in the U.S. and in Europe.
• Propylene glycol is used in various edible items such as coffee-based drinks, liquid sweeteners, ice cream, whipped dairy products and soda. Vaporizers used for delivery of pharmaceuticals or personal-care products often include propylene glycol among the ingredients. In alcohol-based hand sanitizers, it is used as a humectant to prevent the skin from drying. Propylene glycol is used as a solvent in many pharmaceuticals, including oral, injectable, and topical formulations.
• When used in average quantities, propylene glycol has no measurable effect on development and/or reproduction on animals and probably does not adversely affect human development or reproduction without active use. The safety of electronic cigarettes—which utilize propylene glycol-based preparations of nicotine or THC and other cannabinoids—is the subject of much controversy.
• The acute oral toxicity of propylene glycol is very low, and large quantities are required to cause perceptible health effects in humans; in fact, the toxicity of propylene glycol is one third of ethanol’s. Propylene glycol is metabolized in the human body into pyruvic acid (a normal part of the glucose-metabolism process, readily converted to energy), acetic acid (handled by ethanol-metabolism), lactic acid (a normal acid generally abundant during digestion), and propionaldehyde (a potentially hazardous substance).
• Propylene glycol may be non-irritating to the skin, see section Allergic Reaction below for details on allergic reactions. Undiluted propylene glycol is minimally irritating to the eye, producing slight transient conjunctivitis; the eye recovers after the exposure is removed.

• Propanediol is a naturally derived ingredient used in cosmetics and skincare to improve the texture and feel of the formulation. It also helps the skin to retain moisture and hydration. Propanediol is mainly used for its texture improving benefits but has added extra benefits.
• Propanediol is a glycol also known as 1,3-propanediol. It has a similar structure to another skincare ingredient, propylene glycol or 1,2-propanediol. The small difference makes for different uses and safety profiles. Propylene glycol is a synthetic ingredient made from petroleum or corn and are highly purified products. Propanediol can be produced from a natural source, making it an appealing ingredient for companies that produce natural and “green” personal care products.
• In cosmetics and skincare products, propanediol helps to improve the texture and sensory feel of the product. It also has added benefits for hydration, moisturization, and may be beneficial for hair care products too.
• As an emollient, propanediol has the ability to soften and soothe the skin. Upon application, propanediol forms a protective film on the surface of the skin that aids in preventing water loss to the air or dry environments. This increases skin hydration by causing a buildup of water in the top layers of the skin, helping to support the skin’s natural water levels. Products that contain propanediol, such as creams, lotions, and moisturizers, are an excellent choice to support dry skin.
• Propanediol also functions as a humectant, a water-loving substance that pulls water into the skin. Humectants attract and retain the moisture from the air nearby via absorption, drawing the water vapor into or beneath the surface of the skin. These properties make propanediol an ideal ingredient for dry or dehydrated skin.
• Those with aging skin can also benefit from humectants since the skin naturally loses hydration with age. Applying products that contain humectants like propanediol can keep skin hydrated while working to reduce signs of aging.
• Propanediol is considered a safe and appropriate ingredient not only for cosmetic products but also for ingested food products. Propanediol is certified as a ‘Generally Recognized As Safe’ ingredient by the United States Food and Drug Administration. In two independent human skin patch tests, propanediol at concentrations as high as 75% did not produce skin irritation or sensitization reactions. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel, a group responsible for evaluating the safety of skincare ingredients evaluated the available data and determined that propanediol is safe for its indicated uses in skincare and cosmetics.

Q1: What is Propanediol?
A: Propanediol is a naturally derived ingredient used in cosmetics and skincare products. It is used to improve the texture and feel of the formulation. It also helps the skin to retain moisture and hydration.

Q2: Why is Propanediol used in body lotions?
A: Propanediol is used in body lotions for its ability to improve the texture and sensory feel of the product. It also functions as an emollient and a humectant, helping the skin to retain moisture and preventing water loss to the air or dry environments.

Q3: Is Propanediol safe for use in body lotions?
A: Yes, Propanediol is considered a safe ingredient for use in body lotions. It is certified as a ‘Generally Recognized As Safe’ ingredient by the United States Food and Drug Administration. In human skin patch tests, Propanediol did not produce skin irritation or sensitization reactions.

Q4: Can Propanediol cause allergic reactions?
A: While Propanediol is generally considered safe and non-irritating, as with any ingredient, some individuals may have an allergic reaction to it. If you experience any irritation, redness, or discomfort, discontinue use and consult a dermatologist.

Q5: Is Propanediol beneficial for dry skin?
A: Yes, Propanediol is beneficial for dry skin. As an emollient, it softens and soothes the skin. It also functions as a humectant, attracting and retaining moisture from the air, making it an ideal ingredient for dry or dehydrated skin.

Q6: Can Propanediol be used in anti-aging products?
A: Yes, Propanediol can be beneficial in anti-aging products. The skin naturally loses hydration with age, and applying products that contain humectants like Propanediol can keep skin hydrated while working to reduce signs of aging.

Q7: Is Propanediol a natural ingredient?
A: Yes, Propanediol can be produced from a natural source, making it an appealing ingredient for companies that produce natural and “green” personal care products.

Q8: Can Propanediol be used in hair care products?
A: Yes, the hydrating properties of Propanediol make it a useful ingredient for hair care products, such as shampoo, conditioner, leave-on conditioners, or styling products. It provides a cleaner feeling after rinsing while potentially increasing moisturization, improving detangling, reducing static, and improving wet and dry combing.

• Parchem Fine & Specialty Chemicals
• Shandong Minglang Chemical Co., Ltd
• Shandong Lanhai Industry Co.,Ltd
• OPQ Chemical Co., Ltd
• Refine Chemical Co.,Ltd
• Krada CPS Industry S.L
• Huzhou Xinaote Pharmaceutical & Chemical Co.
• Wego Chemical Group
• Zhenyibio Technology Inc.
• Wuhan Yuan Cheng GongChuang Technology Co.Ltd.
• Seema FineChem Industry LLP
• Dairen Chemical Corporation
• Borregaard As
• Gurit (Uk) Ltd

Please note that this list is not exhaustive and there may be other manufacturers and distributors of Propanediol. Always ensure to verify the credibility of the manufacturer or distributor before making a purchase.