Ethylhexylglycerin Safety During Pregnancy: What You Need To Know

Ethylhexylglycerin is a synthetic skin-conditioning agent used as a preservative or as a carrier. It is used in a wide variety of skincare, body, and cosmetic products. It can be found in bath products, body and hand products, cleansing products, deodorants, eye makeup, foundations, hair care products, and suntan products.

Ethylhexylglycerin is considered safe for use during pregnancy and breastfeeding, although there is limited data available. It is a skin irritant and can cause some minor irritation to the skin and eyes, especially in high concentrations.

Ethylhexylglycerin is a skin-conditioning agent, helping to improve the appearance of the skin

Ethylhexylglycerin is a synthetic skin-conditioning agent used as a preservative or as a carrier. It is also used as a preservative enhancer, a surfactant, a deodorizer, and a weak preservative. It works by reducing interfacial tension on the cellular walls of microorganisms, promoting rapid destruction.

Ethylhexylglycerin is a glyceryl ether, which is a type of chemical compound formed by replacing one, two, or three of a glycerol molecule's hydroxyl groups with ether groups. Glyceryl ethers are used in cosmetics and skin-care products as emollients and emulsifiers and as solubilizing agents for oils.

Ethylhexylglycerin has been shown to cause skin irritation in some cases. One or more animal studies have shown skin irritation at moderate doses.

It can function as a preservative, surfactant, deodorizer, and a skin-conditioning agent

Ethylhexylglycerin is a versatile ingredient used in cosmetics and personal care products. It is derived from synthetic raw materials, often sourced from vegetable glycerin, such as coconut or palm oil. It is a popular ingredient in skincare and cosmetic products due to its multifunctionality and excellent preservative properties. Here is a detailed look at its various functions:

Preservative

Ethylhexylglycerin is an effective preservative in cosmetic preparations. It helps prevent the growth of bacteria and germs in products, increasing their shelf life and preventing spoilage. This property is especially useful in water-based products, where the risk of bacterial growth is higher. By reducing the interfacial tension on the cellular walls of microorganisms, ethylhexylglycerin promotes their rapid destruction, making it a valuable preservative enhancer.

Surfactant

Surfactants are crucial ingredients in personal care and cosmetic products, and ethylhexylglycerin serves this function well. Surfactants help in cleansing and improving the penetration of products into the skin. They also possess antimicrobial properties, which further enhance the preservation of the product and contribute to overall skin health.

Deodorizer

As a deodorizer, ethylhexylglycerin helps prevent the formation of unpleasant scents in cosmetic and personal care products. By inhibiting bacterial growth and reducing interfacial tension, it prevents the development of odour-causing compounds, keeping products fresh and fragrant.

Skin-Conditioning Agent

Ethylhexylglycerin is a synthetic skin-conditioning agent that helps improve skin feel. It acts as an emollient, making the skin soft and smooth. Its ability to break surface tension in liquids allows for better absorption and a creamy sensation on the skin. These properties make it an ideal ingredient in products for treating eczema and dry skin, providing effective moisturization and itch relief.

It is thought that ethylhexylglycerin’s preservative characteristics come from its ability to also act as a surfactant

Ethylhexylglycerin is a preservative, a preservative enhancer, a surfactant, a deodorizer, and a skin-conditioning agent. It is a relatively new cosmetic ingredient that is used for its surfactant, emollient, skin-conditioning and antimicrobial properties. It is a biodegradable preservative and is derived from vegetable glycerin. It is considered a better alternative to parabens due to having similar antimicrobial properties.

The preservative characteristics of ethylhexylglycerin come from its ability to also act as a surfactant. Surfactants are the most important ingredient in personal care and cosmetics products. They have several uses, such as cleansing and improving the penetration property of the product on the skin, as well as antimicrobial and conditioning properties.

As a preservative, ethylhexylglycerin helps prevent the growth of bacteria in products to make them last longer and prevent spoilage. It is compatible with various formulations and ingredients, making it versatile for use in different types of products. It also has a low risk of skin irritation compared to other preservatives, which is an essential aspect of ensuring consumer safety and product acceptance.

Ethylhexylglycerin may be an alternative to parabens in the formulation

Ethylhexylglycerin is a synthetic compound derived from grains and plants. It is a safe alternative to parabens, which are synthetic preservatives often found in cosmetics and personal care products such as soap, moisturisers, shaving cream and deodorant. Parabens have been linked to industrial chemicals and are known to be carcinogens.

Ethylhexylglycerin is a preservative that breaks down the cellular walls of microorganisms, effectively killing them. It is also used as a skin conditioner, helping to improve the appearance of the skin, and has beneficial antimicrobial, deodorising and preservative effects.

A study published in PLOS ONE investigated whether ethylhexylglycerin may enhance the function of other preservatives in a formulation, such as phenoxyethanol, methylisothiazolinone, or methylparaben. This research suggested that ethylhexylglycerin can support the role of other preservatives, ensuring products are safe and can last longer.

Ethylhexylglycerin is also a surfactant, which are compounds that lower the surface tension between two substances and work to mix the two substances. This action is particularly useful in skincare and cosmetic products to mix oil and water-based ingredients, allowing them to be used in moisturisers without separating and in washes without leaving residue on the skin.

Ethylhexylglycerin is used in many deodorants and deodorising products due to its antimicrobial action, which prevents the growth and multiplication of odour-causing bacteria while not affecting beneficial skin flora.

Overall, ethylhexylglycerin is a safe alternative to parabens and has a range of beneficial properties for skincare and cosmetic products.

It can be a mild skin and eye irritant

Ethylhexylglycerin is a synthetic skin-conditioning agent used as a preservative or as a carrier. It is also used as a preservative enhancer, a surfactant, a deodorizer, and a skin-conditioning agent. It is derived from glycerine, obtained mainly from plant-based sources such as soybean or palm.

Ethylhexylglycerin is considered safe for use during pregnancy. However, it can be a mild skin and eye irritant, particularly for those with sensitive skin or those who experience contact dermatitis. It is important to note that undiluted ethylhexylglycerin is an eye irritant, while a 5% concentration only causes mild eye irritation.

Ethylhexylglycerin has multiple benefits, including acting as a mild humectant, an emollient, and improving the skin feel of cosmetic formulations. It can be found in bath products, body and hand products, cleansing products, deodorants, eye makeup, foundations, hair care products, and suntan products.

Frequently asked questions