Ingredient guide ›

1 2 Hexanediol

The freshness booster.

What it does

Draws in moisture and helps keep products fresh by making it harder for germs to grow.

Good to know

The only safety reviews found are industry ones: the US industry panel (CIR) and a manufacturer's skin test of 200 people, with no allergic reactions.

Often found in: Sunscreens, Body lotions, Face masks, Conditioners

Around the world

• United States: No FDA limit. The FDA doesn't approve cosmetic ingredients before sale. Source
• EU and UK: No special limit in the EU or UK. Source
• Canada: Not on Health Canada's Hotlist of restricted ingredients. Source
• Australia: No limit in Australia's Poisons Standard. Source

Sources

No independent safety review found. The only review is industry-funded.

• CIR: Safety Assessment of 1,2-Glycols as Used in Cosmetics (2012) (Industry-funded)
• Safety of a preservative system containing 1,2-hexanediol and caprylyl glycol (Cutan Ocul Toxicol, 2009; Revlon study) (Industry-funded)