Butylene Glycol

Butylene Glycol is a water-soluble diol used widely in skincare as a humectant and solvent. It binds moisture from the environment, improves product glide, aids ingredient dispersion, and supports a smooth, comfortable application feel.
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Ingredient Snapshot

Overview
A humectant that pulls in moisture and smooths application.
Category
Hydration, Skin Conditioning
Type
Humectant

Ingredient Ratings

Overall Rating

Great

Comedogenic Risk

None

Skin Benefits

Draws water to the skin for a bouncier feel and helps reduce sensations of dryness or tightness, and also improves the skin's smooth glide during application.

Uses In Skincare & Cosmetics

Widely used in serums, essences, toners, gels, and sheet masks, as well as lightweight moisturizers to boost hydration performance.

Comedogenic Rating

This ingredient is not typically evaluated for comedogenicity, and no standardized rating is available.

Safety

Typically well tolerated, though very sensitive skin may experience mild stinging or redness at higher concentrations. No common regulatory restrictions for topical use; patch testing is prudent for reactive users.

Is Butylene Glycol a Good Ingredient?

Strong, consistent evidence supports its humectancy, and it has excellent formulation stability with generally low sensitization rates across skin types, which is what earns it a Great rating; it improves spread and solubilization without a high irritation burden.

Products with Butylene Glycol

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