Pe
Pentylene Glycol
Pentylene GlycolHydrator
Five-carbon humectant. Slightly stronger preservative-boosting effect than its shorter cousins.
What it does
Pentylene glycol carries the same humectant and solvent function as butylene glycol, plus a noticeable antimicrobial-boost effect that lets formulations run a lower phenoxyethanol load. Popular in 'minimalist preservative' formulations marketed as naturals or for sensitive skin. Skin feel is light and non-tacky.
The evidence, graded
expert consensusCaprylyl glycol and pentylene glycol are 1,2-glycols used mainly as skin and hair conditioning agents and viscosity agents, and both also function as cosmetic preservatives. Expert-panel review concluded the reviewed 1,2-glycols are safe at present practices of use and concentration.Johnson 2012 · International journal of toxicology ↗
Graded per the methodology: strong · moderate · emerging · expert consensus. A weak source on a strong claim gets the weaker label.
Pairs worth knowing
Browse all 668 ingredients — grouped by what they do, each with whatever evidence we can cite.
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