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Ethylhexylglycerin
Ethylhexylglycerin
Glycerin derivative used as a preservative booster. Improves the efficacy of phenoxyethanol and parabens.
What it does
Ethylhexylglycerin is a multi-purpose ingredient: it boosts the antimicrobial activity of primary preservatives, mildly conditions the skin, and acts as a deodorizing agent. It's a common second-line preservative ingredient in modern formulations because it lets the primary preservative run lower without losing efficacy. Generally well tolerated; rare contact-allergy reports exist.
The evidence, graded
moderateEthylhexylglycerin is a rare contact allergen. In North American Contact Dermatitis Group patch testing of 15,560 patients, 39 (0.25%) reacted — a rate similar to other low-allergenic preservatives such as parabens and phenoxyethanol. Where reactions occurred they were usually clinically relevant, most often from moisturisers.Warshaw 2022 · Dermatitis ↗
Graded per the methodology: strong · moderate · emerging · expert consensus. A weak source on a strong claim gets the weaker label.
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