Safety assessment of propylene glycol, tripropylene glycol, and PPGs as used in cosmetics.
Propylene glycol is an aliphatic alcohol that functions as a skin conditioning agent, viscosity decreasing agent, solvent, and fragrance ingredient in cosmetics. Tripropylene glycol functions as a humectant, antioxidant, and emulsion stabilizer. Polypropylene glycols (PPGs), including PPG-3, PPG-7, PPG-9, PPG-12, PPG-13, PPG-15, PPG-16, PPG-17, PPG-20, PPG-26, PPG-30, PPG-33, PPG-34, PPG-51, PPG-52, and PPG-69, function primarily as skin conditioning agents, with some solvent use. The majority of the safety and toxicity information presented is for propylene glycol (PG). Propylene glycol is generally nontoxic and is noncarcinogenic. Clinical studies demonstrated an absence of dermal sensitization at use concentrations, although concerns about irritation remained. The CIR Expert Panel determined that the available information support the safety of tripropylene glycol as well as all the PPGs. The Expert Panel concluded that PG, tripropylene glycol, and PPGs ≥3 are safe as used in cosmetic formulations when formulated to be nonirritating.
Cosmetic Ingredient Review, 1101 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036, USA. cirinfo@cir-safety.org
Monice M
MM
Fiume
Wilma F
WF
Bergfeld
Donald V
DV
Belsito
Ronald A
RA
Hill
Curtis D
CD
Klaassen
Daniel
D
Liebler
James G
JG
Marks
Ronald C
RC
Shank
Thomas J
TJ
Slaga
Paul W
PW
Snyder
F Alan
FA
Andersen
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity; D003257:Consumer Product Safety; D003358:Cosmetics / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000633:toxicity; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity*; D006801:Humans; D011108:Polymers / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity*; D019946:Propylene Glycol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity*; D011409:Propylene Glycols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity*; D017592:Skin Care / Q000009:adverse effects; D018675:Toxicity Tests; D014783:Viscosity
D000975:Antioxidants; D003358:Cosmetics; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D011108:Polymers; D011409:Propylene Glycols; C012504:polypropylene glycol; C578961:tripropylene glycol; D019946:Propylene Glycol