Caprylyl Glycol / Hexylene Glycol
Reviewed by Daisy · Last updated 20 Jul 2026
Also known as: 2-Methyl-2, 4-pentanediol
As a raw material, it is clear liquid
EWG Safety Score
What Is Caprylyl Glycol / Hexylene Glycol?
Caprylyl Glycol:\nCaprylyl glycol is a skin and hair conditioning agent that may be plant-derived (from coconut, for example) or synthetic. It is a humectant, meaning it attracts and binds water to skin.\n\nBecause of the structure and surface activity of caprylyl glycol, it can also have an effect on the viscosity and stability of emulsion products. It has limited solubility in water and is commonly used with other water solubilizing agents.\n\nStudies have also found that caprylyl glycol has some antibacterial properties, and that it can help boost the preservative blend used in some leave-on skin care products.\n\nIn its raw form, caprylyl glycol is a waxy solid.\n\nThe Cosmetic Ingredient Review panel has found caprylyl glycol safe as used in cosmetics in amounts between 0.00003%–5%. Toxicologic testing did not reveal caprylyl glycol to be a skin or eye irritant in amounts commonly used in cosmetics.
---\n\nHexylene Glycol:\nHexylene glycol is famous for its excellent solvency among a wide variety of materials and is popular in skin care formulas due to its ability to improve the texture. It has viscosity-reducing properties that allow it to thin out heavy, thick formulations and produce smooth spreadability. Studies indicate it also exhibits antimicrobial properties.\n\nIn addition to skin care, hexylene glycol is used in other beauty products including hair care and makeup. It also goes by its chemical compound name: 2-Methyl-2,4-pentanediol. As a raw material, it is a clear liquid.\n\nHexylene glycol is often used in preservative blends that contain phenoxyethanol because it boosts the efficacy of this preservative, allowing lower amounts to be used, which reduces the risk skin will have a sensitised response.\n\nHexylene glycol has been backed as a safe ingredient for decades with reported concentrations up to 25% in personal care products (though most skin care formulas use much lower amounts than that, especially in preservative blends).
Clinical Evidence & References
Published Research
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Cosmeticsinfo.org, Accessed April 2024, ePublication Cosmeticsinfo.org, 2024
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Cutaneous and Ocular Toxicology, March 2009, Volume 28, pages 23-24 Cutaneous and Ocular Toxicology, 2009
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International Journal of Cosmetic Science, October 2016, pages 496-503 and June 2009, pages 163-75 International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2016
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International Journal of Toxicology, September-October 2012, pages 147-168 International Journal of Toxicology, 2012
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Scientific Reports, April 2021, Volume 11, Issue 1, article 8,695 Scientific Reports, 2021
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