The Beauty & Personal Care Brand Builder Series

Ingredient Deep Dive

Hexylene Glycol

The Beauty & Personal Care Brand Builder Series

Ingredient Deep Dive

Hexylene Glycol

The Solvent & Viscosity Reducer

Hexylene Glycol is a versatile glycol used as a solvent, humectant, mild surfactant and viscosity reducer.

It dissolves ingredients, thins overly-thick formulas for a lighter feel, adds light hydration and helps reinforce preservation.

Quick Insights

Ingredient Rating:

GOOD

Type of Ingredient:

Hydrator and Solvent

Intended Function:

A multifunctional glycol used as a solvent, viscosity reducer, humectant and preservative aid.

Common Applications:

Used across moisturizers, serums and lotions and treatment formulas.

Target Audience:

Formulators wanting a versatile solvent/viscosity tool with preservation support.

Also Known As:

Hexylene Glycol

Benefits of Hexylene Glycol

A multitasking glycol that solubilizes, thins, hydrates and supports preservation.

Solvent: Dissolves actives, preservatives and fragrances.
Viscosity Control: Thins thick formulas for a lighter, spreadable feel.
Light Hydration: Binds a little water at the surface.
Preservation Support: Helps reinforce the preservative system.
Cleansing Support: Contributes mild surfactant character.

How It Works

Hexylene Glycol is a small diol with both water- and oil-loving character, so it dissolves a wide range of ingredients, lowers formula viscosity and lends light humectancy, while providing mild antimicrobial support to preservation.

Formulating with Hexylene Glycol

Hexylene Glycol is added to the water phase at low levels as a solvent, viscosity reducer and preservative aid. Observe good manufacturing and preservation practice.

Safety Analysis

Hexylene Glycol is well tolerated at typical use levels. As always, substantiate the finished product’s safety (e.g. patch / HRIPT testing) in line with MoCRA requirements.

References

https://incidecoder.com/ingredients/hexylene-glycol

https://cosmeticsinfo.org/ingredient/hexylene-glycol/

https://cosmeticanalysis.com/cosmetic-ingredients/hexylene-glycol

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