Butylene glycol in skincare
A substance used as a humectant and solvent.
What is butylene glycol?
A substance used as a humectant and solvent. On the ingredient list, you can find the name Butylene Glycol. The dictionary uses both the common name and the INCI name, so you can compare the explanation with the packaging.
What does butylene glycol do for skin and the product?
Helps with moisture, spreading and dissolving ingredients.
Humectants work with water in the skin's stratum corneum. They are often combined with lipids that make the surface supple and limit moisture loss. These are different tasks within the same moisturising care.
The name glycol covers different compounds with different properties.
How to read the ingredient list
Look at the product's purpose and overall composition. Position on the list does not tell you the exact concentration used or how your skin will react. One substance can serve several purposes in the same product.
Questions about butylene glycol
What does butylene glycol do in skincare?
Helps with moisture, spreading and dissolving ingredients.
What should I know about butylene glycol?
The name glycol covers different compounds with different properties.
Related ingredients
About sources and ingredient names
The European Commission's CosIng database is a reference for cosmetic ingredient names and functions. An entry does not constitute approval of all uses or evidence of a particular product effect.
DermNet: functions of moisturising care · DermNet: cosmetic formulations