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THE INGREDIENT EDIT BEAUT.IN / 37269

PROPYLENE GLYCOL

A multifunctional formula ingredient commonly encountered in skincare and personal care.

Explore benefits ↗
YOUR LABEL, DECODED.Follow the references ↓
INCI / SOURCE NAMEPROPYLENE GLYCOL
CAS REFERENCE57-55-6
RECORDED FUNCTIONS6 cosmetic roles
RESEARCH COVERAGESource + Beaut.in explanationView evidence scope ↗
01 / BENEFITS & USES

What it brings to beauty.

Explore the recorded roles of PROPYLENE GLYCOL and what they can mean in a cosmetic formula.

Source-function explanation

The panels below interpret this ingredient’s recorded functions. They describe possible contributions, not proven clinical results. Any individually reviewed study is shown separately.

01 / COSMETIC CONTEXT

For skin

  • HumectantWater binding can help support a hydrated skin feel in a well-formulated product.
  • Skin Conditioning - MiscellaneousA broad skin-conditioning role is recorded. A more specific benefit needs ingredient-level evidence.
02 / COSMETIC CONTEXT

For hair

No hair-specific function has been mapped from this source record. Hair or scalp benefits have not yet been reviewed here.

03 / FORMULATION ROLE

In cosmetics

  • HumectantHelps a formula attract and retain water. The overall moisturising effect depends on the complete product.
  • Skin Conditioning - HumectantSupports a moisturised skin feel through water-binding properties.
  • Skin Conditioning - MiscellaneousA broad source category for ingredients that help keep skin in good condition through roles not described by a narrower conditioning category.
Explore 3 more roles
  • SolventDissolves or carries other formula ingredients. A solvent can help bring different components into a usable product.
  • Viscosity ControllingHelps adjust how thick or fluid a formula is, influencing its flow and application.
  • FragranceContributes scent to a product. Fragrance character depends on the ingredient blend.

Possible formulation contexts

Examples associated with the recorded function classes; these are not verified product listings or instructions to apply the raw ingredient.

  • Moisturising formulas
  • Skin-conditioning formulas
  • Dissolving and carrying ingredients
  • Texture and flow adjustment
  • Fragrance systems
Read the benefit with the formula.

Ingredient form, concentration, pH, delivery system and contact time can change the result. A skin finding does not establish a hair benefit; a conditioning or fibre result does not establish hair growth.

CosIng record · function source ↗
02 / KNOW THE NAME

Ingredient identity

COSING SOURCE DESCRIPTION

Propylene Glycol is the aliphatic alcohol that conforms generally to the formula

European Commission · source text, with formatting normalised · CC BY 4.0
Source ingredient name
PROPYLENE GLYCOL
CAS identifier(s)
57-55-6
EC identifier(s)
200-338-0
Other source names / search aliases
propylene glycol; propylenglycolum

CAS and EC identifiers are source references. A botanical extract, polymer or mixture may have more than one identifier; a name does not establish purity, supplier grade or sourcing.

Chemical names in the source

  • Propane-1,2-diol

Matched chemical reference

PubChem compound ID
1030
Molecular formula
C3H8O2
Molecular weight
76.09 g/mol
Systematic name
propane-1,2-diol
InChIKey
DNIAPMSPPWPWGF-UHFFFAOYSA-N

Matched through one source CAS and a confirmed ingredient name or source alias. These facts describe the matched PubChem record; they do not describe particle form, supplier grade or finished-product performance.

03 / INSIDE THE FORMULA

What does it do?

Humectant

Helps a formula attract and retain water. The overall moisturising effect depends on the complete product.

Fragrance

Contributes scent to a product. Fragrance character depends on the ingredient blend.

Solvent

Dissolves or carries other formula ingredients. A solvent can help bring different components into a usable product.

Viscosity Controlling

Helps adjust how thick or fluid a formula is, influencing its flow and application.

Skin Conditioning - Humectant

Supports a moisturised skin feel through water-binding properties.

Skin Conditioning - Miscellaneous

A broad source category for ingredients that help keep skin in good condition through roles not described by a narrower conditioning category.

Functions describe possible roles in a formulation. They do not establish the performance of every product containing this ingredient.

04 / READ THE LABEL

A little more understanding.

Propylene glycol is distinct from propanediol and from ingredients with longer compound names.

Its function depends on the formulation. Research the complete product and use conditions rather than the name alone.

05 / EVIDENCE & REGULATORY CONTEXT

Keep the context in view.

India

Applicable Cosmetics Rules and standards need to be checked for the ingredient, product type and use. Ingredient-specific restrictions have not yet been mapped here.

European Union

CosIng records do not authorise use. Check the current Cosmetics Regulation and annexes for restrictions and conditions.

United States

FDA guidance has a US scope. Product classification, colour additives and other ingredient conditions require separate checks.

Individual experience

No personalised suitability or allergy assessment is provided. A source function is separate from human efficacy and finished-product testing.

Independent clinical evidence synthesis
Not yet completed
Ingredient safety score
Not assigned
Concentration / exposure limits
Not inferred from the ingredient name
06 / FOLLOW THE REFERENCE

Sources & record history

About this image

2D structure · PubChem CID 1030 · 2D structure depiction using the PubChem isomeric SMILES record. This does not show particle size, crystal form, supplier grade or raw-material appearance.

Structure rendered for Beaut.in from PubChem data.

Original image / data source ↗

Rendered from the source isomeric SMILES representation. This is not a photograph of the cosmetic raw material. · Reference checked 28 October 2026.

  1. European Commission · CosIng ingredient record ↗

    Identity, identifiers and functions. Snapshot checked 28 October 2026. CosIng source reference: 37269.

  2. European Commission · Database scope & limitations ↗
  3. CDSCO · India cosmetics framework ↗
  4. FDA · US cosmetics guidance ↗

Beaut.in explains ingredient information in original language. Source inclusion does not constitute endorsement. Source descriptions and annex-table fields are reproduced with credit to the European Union; formatting is normalised. The current record is a dated snapshot, not a live regulatory monitor. Reuse terms: European Commission · CC BY 4.0 ↗.

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