Pr
Propylene Glycol
Propylene GlycolHydrator
A moisture-puller and solvent high on many serum labels. In larger amounts it can sting irritated skin.
What it does
It pulls water into the top layers of skin and dissolves many other ingredients, which is why it’s often second or third on serum labels. On already irritated skin, higher amounts can sting.
The evidence, graded
expert consensusIf skin is reactive, peeling, stinging, or burning unexpectedly, pause all actives — retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, AHAs, BHAs and vitamin C — and rebuild the barrier with a simple cleanser, a moisturizer and SPF for 2–4 weeks before re-introducing actives one at a time.Lodén 2003 · American Journal of Clinical Dermatology ↗
Graded per the methodology: strong · moderate · emerging · expert consensus. A weak source on a strong claim gets the weaker label.
Also known as
PG
Pairs worth knowing
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