2-Hexanediol

2-Hexanediol

6.5

Ingredient Info

2-Hexanediol is a humectant and preservative booster commonly used in skincare products to help retain moisture and extend shelf life. It works by drawing water into the skin while also enhancing the effectiveness of other preservatives, allowing brands to use lower amounts of traditional preservatives.



Benefits

  • Hydrates and moisturizes skin by drawing in water
  • Helps preserve products with lower preservative levels
  • Works synergistically with other skincare ingredients like niacinamide

Potential concerns

  • May cause cell viability concerns at concentrations above 1.0% in laboratory studies
  • Limited real-world safety data in humans at typical skincare concentrations (usually 2-5%)
  • Potential environmental concern if released into water systems

Science: While 2-hexanediol is widely used as a preservative substitute for parabens, recent cytotoxicity studies raise questions about safety at concentrations commonly found in skincare products (>2%). However, these findings are from laboratory cell studies and may not directly translate to human skin application. Further human safety studies are needed to confirm real-world risk.



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