The ingredient, explained
Butylene Glycol
A published expert assessment examines cosmetic-use safety.
Ingredient guide
What it is and what it does
Butylene glycol has both solvent and humectant roles. It can help dissolve compatible ingredients and retain moisture within a formula.
About this ingredient: CosIng identity and functions via Open Beauty Facts ↗ · European Commission ingredient function definitions ↗
- Humectant
- Helps attract and retain moisture.
- Masking
- Reduces or conceals the formula's underlying odour or taste.
- Skin conditioning
- A broad cosmetic role for maintaining skin condition. It does not identify a particular clinical benefit.
- Viscosity controlling
- Adjusts how thick or fluid a product is.
- Solvent
- Dissolves other ingredients in a formula.
Function definitions: European Commission ingredient function definitions (SCCNFP/0299/00, pages 16 to 20) ↗
Registry functions describe possible formulation roles, not results for a finished product. A dictionary entry is not an approval or a safety assessment.
A closer look
What the research shows
Safety assessment
Human patch tests and toxicology informed a conclusion supporting the cosmetic uses then described.
What this does not tell us
This historical group safety assessment is not a clinical hydration trial. Its conclusions do not transfer to different glycol isomers.
Sources for this summary. DOI 10.3109/10915818509078692 ↗
Research review checked Oct 1, 2026
Bounded review of 0 local candidate records, selected relevant abstracts, and targeted exact-name primary-source searches. Not a systematic review.
Ingredient research is not proof that a product containing this ingredient works.
Read the 1 selected study
Follow the formula
Products containing this ingredient
From the Serenfold edit. Linked by the ingredient list, without an efficacy ranking.
Names and identifiers
Registry identity
Butane-1‚3-diol
- INCI name on ingredient lists
- BUTYLENE GLYCOL
- CAS registry number
- 107-88-0
- EC number
- 203-529-7
Sources for this ingredient record
- EU CosIng ingredient registry (via Open Beauty Facts taxonomy) ↗ · ODbL 1.0 (Open Beauty Facts database) · Recorded Aug 8, 2026
- European Commission ingredient function definitions ↗ · Recorded Sep 30, 2026