Omar Khalid
1,2-hexanediol is a synthetic preservative and moisture-binding humectant. It is a clear, viscous liquid with a low-hazard score of 1 from the Environmental Working Group (EWG). It is commonly used in cosmetics and skincare products as a replacement for parabens. It is also used in printer ink and toner. While it is not known to be toxic, carcinogenic, or a reproductive toxin, it can cause skin, eye, and lung irritation. Its precursor, 1-hexene, is highly toxic and an acute environmental pollutant.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| State of matter | Clear viscous liquid |
| Uses | Humectant, filler, solvent, preservative, thickener, conditioning agent, emollient, moisture-boosting agent |
| Safety | Low toxicity, low hazard score of 1, safe for use in cosmetics and personal care products |
| Precursor | 1-hexene, a highly toxic chemical |
| Risks | Potential eye and skin irritant, releases free radicals when broken down through oxidation in the body |
| Environmental impact | Could cause damage to plants and other organisms |
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What You'll Learn
1,2-hexanediol is a synthetic chemical
As a synthetic chemical, 1,2-hexanediol is not a natural substance, but rather one that is formulated and produced through a specific process. In this case, it is derived from 1-hexene, which is a toxic chemical. While 1,2-hexanediol itself is not known to be acutely toxic, its precursor certainly is. This highlights the importance of understanding the synthetic nature of this chemical and the potential risks associated with its production and use.
The synthetic nature of 1,2-hexanediol also has implications for its safety profile. While it is generally considered to have low toxicity and is not known to cause immediate sickness or death upon ingestion, there are still concerns about its potential health effects. For example, 1,2-hexanediol is a well-known penetration enhancer, which means it can cross the skin's barrier and allow other chemicals to enter the body along with it. This property has raised concerns about its potential impact on human health if it enters the body through oral intake or open wounds.
Furthermore, the synthetic creation of 1,2-hexanediol means that it is not a naturally occurring substance and may, therefore, have a different impact on the body and the environment compared to natural alternatives. While synthetic chemicals undergo rigorous testing and are often deemed safe for specific uses, there is still a level of uncertainty regarding their long-term effects, especially when compared to natural substances with a longer history of human use.
In conclusion, 1,2-hexanediol is a synthetic chemical with a range of applications, particularly in the cosmetic industry. While it offers certain benefits, its synthetic nature, derived from a toxic precursor, raises important considerations regarding its safety and potential impact on human health and the environment. As with any synthetic chemical, thorough testing, regulation, and responsible use are crucial to mitigating potential risks.
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It is used in cosmetics and skincare
1,2-hexanediol is a synthetic preservative and moisture-binding humectant. It is a clear liquid solvent that helps dissolve other substances. It is commonly used in cosmetics and skincare products as an emollient, humectant, and moisture-boosting agent.
As a cosmetic ingredient, 1,2-hexanediol is highly effective, even at low concentrations. This reduces the likelihood of irritations and sensitivities. It is often used in skincare products to help active ingredients penetrate the skin more effectively. It also decreases the viscosity of creams and other thick formulations, resulting in a more weightless and comfortable finish.
Due to its ability to dissolve other substances, 1,2-hexanediol is also used as a solvent in cosmetics. This helps create a more homogeneous and smoother texture for the product. Additionally, it can act as a humectant, drawing moisture from the atmosphere and delivering it to the skin to prevent dryness.
The CIR and the EWG have both concluded that 1,2-hexanediol is safe to use in cosmetic and personal care products. The EWG has given it a low hazard (green) score of 1. However, it is important to note that it has been known to potentially cause dermatitis and irritations, especially around the eyes.
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It is a penetration enhancer
1,2-hexanediol is not a plastic. It is a synthetic preservative and moisture-binding humectant. It is a colourless liquid that is used as a solvent to replace propylene glycol and butylene glycol.
Alkanediols are widely used as multifunctional ingredients in dermal formulations. 1,2-hexanediol is an alkanediol that has been found to increase the penetration of triamcinolone acetonide (TAA). The extent of this increase depends on the formulation used. The increased penetration of TAA is due to the disruption of the lipid order in the stratum corneum (SC) by 1,2-hexanediol. This disruption reduces the barrier function of the SC, allowing TAA to penetrate more easily.
The effect of 1,2-hexanediol on the lipid order in the SC is dependent on the length of the alkyl chain of the alkanediol. Longer-chained alkanediols, such as 1,2-octanediol, cause the lipids in the SC to be converted to a more disordered state, which favours drug penetration. This behaviour was not observed for shorter-chained alkanediols. Therefore, the penetration-enhancing effect of 1,2-hexanediol is likely due to its interaction with the hydrophilic regions of the SC.
The use of 1,2-hexanediol as a penetration enhancer is not limited to TAA. It is also used to bring other ingredients into the skin. However, it should be avoided in formulations where the ingredients are not intended to be carried into the skin, such as chemical sunscreens.
In addition to its penetration-enhancing properties, 1,2-hexanediol is also used in skincare products for its ability to retain water, boost preservatives, and fight germs. It is a popular ingredient in skincare formulas that want to reduce the use of preservatives.
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It has low toxicity
1,2-hexanediol is a synthetic preservative and moisture-binding humectant. It is commonly used in personal and skincare products as an emollient, humectant, and moisture-boosting agent. It is also used in printer ink and toner.
While 1,2-hexanediol is not acutely toxic, carcinogenic, or a reproductive toxin, it is not a beneficial or nourishing ingredient. It is a penetration enhancer, meaning it can cross the skin barrier and allow other chemicals to enter the body. If ingested or if it enters the body through an open wound, it could have critical effects.
There is a limited volume of research on the toxicity of 1,2-hexanediol. One study found that it significantly inhibited seed germination and root elongation in plants at a concentration of 0.1%. Another study found that RAW 264.7 and HK-2 cells treated with 1.0% 1,2-hexanediol showed a significant decline in viability, followed by death.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) and the Environmental Working Group (EWG) have both given 1,2-hexanediol a low hazard score of 1. There are no official safety warnings for 1,2-hexanediol, but it has been known to cause dermatitis and irritations, especially around the eyes. However, because only low concentrations are needed for cosmetic purposes, the likelihood of irritations and sensitivities is decreased.
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It is not a plastic
1,2-hexanediol is not a plastic. It is a synthetic preservative and moisture-binding humectant. It is a clear, viscous liquid that is commonly used as a replacement for parabens in cosmetic formulas. It is also used in printer ink and toner.
As a solvent, 1,2-hexanediol helps to dissolve other substances. It is often used in personal and skincare products as an emollient, humectant, and moisture-boosting agent. It is a well-known penetration enhancer, meaning it can cross the skin's barrier and allow other chemicals to enter the body through the skin.
While it is considered to have low toxicity, it is broken down in the body through oxidation, which releases free radicals. If ingested or if it enters the body through an open wound, it could have critical effects. Inhalation of 1,2-hexanediol may cause giddiness or incoordination, and prolonged exposure to high concentrations may induce a loss of consciousness or even death.
Furthermore, upon release into the environment, 1,2-hexanediol could cause considerable damage to plants and other organisms. It is a strong eye irritant and has been known to cause dermatitis and other irritations, especially around the eyes.
The CIR and EWG have both concluded that 1,2-hexanediol is safe to use in cosmetic and personal care products. The EWG gave it a low hazard (green) score of 1. However, it is important to note that cosmetics and personal care products are not required to be tested for safety before being allowed on the market. The Skin Deep scoring system was designed to help the public understand whether a product is safe to use and to identify ingredients of concern.
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Frequently asked questions
1,2-hexanediol is a synthetic preservative and moisture-binding humectant. It is a clear, viscous liquid used as a humectant, filler, solvent, preservative, thickener, and conditioning agent. It is commonly used as a replacement for parabens in cosmetic formulas.
While 1,2-hexanediol is considered to have low toxicity, it is broken down in the body through oxidation, which releases free radicals. It is also a known eye irritant and can cause dermatitis and irritations, especially around the eyes. It has also been known to cause giddiness or incoordination upon inhalation.
No, 1,2-hexanediol is not a plastic. It is a synthetic chemical created from 1-hexene, which is used to make plastics. 1,2-hexanediol is commonly used in cosmetics and skincare products.
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