# PROPYLENE GLYCOL

URL: https://app.greenveil.ai/ingredients/ingredient_dtxsid_dtxsid0021206
Categories: beauty, cleaning, food, industrial, pharma
Functions: Humectant, Solvent, Skin conditioning, Viscosity controlling, Fragrance, Carrier solvent, glazing agent, humectant
Identifier: DTXSID0021206

> PROPYLENE GLYCOL: Used in cosmetics as a humectant, a solvent and a skin-conditioning agent. Propylene Glycol is the aliphatic alcohol. Greenveil chemical-concern score: 40/100 — Moderate concern based on regulatory listings.. Compiled from 10 published data sources.

## Safety assessment

- Chemical concern score: 40/100 — Moderate concern based on regulatory listings.
- Confidence in this assessment: High
- Is it a concern? Moderate concern: no hazard classifications on record. It is listed for cosmetic use in the EU.
- Rationale: EPA CPDat observed this chemical in 16177 composition records across product categories including Cleaning and safety, Construction and building materials, Raw materials.

## Regulatory status

- EU: Active — Propylene Glycol is the aliphatic alcohol that conforms generally to the formula
- EU: EFSA opinion — Re-evaluation of propane-1,2-diol alginate (E 405) as a food additive (EFSA ANS)
- EU: EFSA opinion — Re-evaluation of propane-1,2-diol (E 1520) as a food additive (EFSA ANS)
- EU: EFSA opinion — Scientific Opinion on the evaluation of the substances currently on the list in the Annex to Commission Directive 96/3/EC as acceptable previous cargoes for edible fats and oils - Part I of III (EFSA CONTAM)
- EU: EFSA opinion — Scientific Opinion on Flavouring Group Evaluation 92 (FGE.92): Consideration of aliphatic acyclic diols, triols, and related substances evaluated by JECFA (68th meeting) structurally related to aliphatic primary and secondary saturated and unsaturated alcohols, aldehydes, acetals, carboxylic acids and esters containing an additional oxygenated functional group and lactones evaluated by EFSA in FGE.10Rev1 (2009). EFSA Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes, Flavourings and Processing Aids (CEF) (EFSA CEF)
- GLOBAL: Evaluated — JECFA evaluation record.
- GLOBAL: 0-25 mg/kg bw (1973) — JECFA evaluation lists ADI 0-25 mg/kg bw (1973). Functional class: carrier solvent, glazing agent, humectant.
- US: commercial use observed — EPA CPDat observed this chemical in 16177 composition records across product categories including Cleaning and safety, Construction and building materials, Raw materials. EPA CPDat classifies this chemical for functional uses including Solvent, Stabilizing agent, Humectant.
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: DENTAL; Dosage form: SOLUTION; Potency: 2 %w/w
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: INTRAMUSCULAR; Dosage form: INJECTION; Maximum daily exposure: 7459 mg
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: INTRAMUSCULAR; Dosage form: INJECTION, SOLUTION; Maximum daily exposure: 4000 mg
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: INTRAVENOUS; Dosage form: INJECTION; Maximum daily exposure: 16624 mg
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: INTRAVENOUS; Dosage form: INJECTION, POWDER, LYOPHILIZED, FOR SOLUTION; Potency: 63.4 %w/v
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: INTRAVENOUS; Dosage form: INJECTION, SOLUTION; Maximum daily exposure: 4000 mg
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: INTRAVENOUS; Dosage form: SOLUTION; Potency: 5 %w/v
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: INTRAVENOUS; Dosage form: SOLUTION, CONCENTRATE; Potency: 50.33 %w/v
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: NASAL; Dosage form: SPRAY; Maximum daily exposure: 5 mg
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: NASAL; Dosage form: SPRAY, METERED; Maximum daily exposure: 240 mg
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: OPHTHALMIC; Dosage form: EMULSION; Potency: 1.5 %w/v
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: OPHTHALMIC; Dosage form: GEL; Potency: 0.44 %w/w
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: OPHTHALMIC; Dosage form: SOLUTION; Potency: 1 %w/v
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: OPHTHALMIC; Dosage form: SOLUTION/ DROPS; Potency: 0.75 %w/v
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: OPHTHALMIC; Dosage form: SUSPENSION; Potency: 0.6 %w/v
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: OPHTHALMIC; Dosage form: SUSPENSION/ DROPS; Potency: 0.75 %w/v
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: ORAL; Dosage form: CAPSULE; Maximum daily exposure: 1072 mg
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: ORAL; Dosage form: CAPSULE, COATED; Potency: 25 mg
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: ORAL; Dosage form: CAPSULE, COATED, EXTENDED RELEASE; Potency: NA
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: ORAL; Dosage form: CAPSULE, DELAYED RELEASE; Potency: 1.7 mg
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: ORAL; Dosage form: CAPSULE, EXTENDED RELEASE; Maximum daily exposure: 8 mg
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: ORAL; Dosage form: CAPSULE, LIQUID FILLED; Maximum daily exposure: 42 mg
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: ORAL; Dosage form: CONCENTRATE; Maximum daily exposure: 7000 mg
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: ORAL; Dosage form: DROPS; Potency: 200 mg/1ml
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: ORAL; Dosage form: ELIXIR; Maximum daily exposure: 9306 mg
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: ORAL; Dosage form: LIQUID; Maximum daily exposure: 29008 mg
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: ORAL; Dosage form: SOLUTION; Maximum daily exposure: 22602 mg
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: ORAL; Dosage form: SOLUTION, CONCENTRATE; Maximum daily exposure: 2590 mg
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: ORAL; Dosage form: SUSPENSION; Maximum daily exposure: 27120 mg
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: ORAL; Dosage form: SUSPENSION, EXTENDED RELEASE; Maximum daily exposure: 1000 mg
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: ORAL; Dosage form: SYRUP; Maximum daily exposure: 5700 mg
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: ORAL; Dosage form: TABLET; Maximum daily exposure: 64 mg
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: ORAL; Dosage form: TABLET, COATED; Maximum daily exposure: 16 mg
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: ORAL; Dosage form: TABLET, DELAYED RELEASE; Maximum daily exposure: 36 mg
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: ORAL; Dosage form: TABLET, EXTENDED RELEASE; Potency: 9 mg
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: ORAL; Dosage form: TABLET, FILM COATED; Maximum daily exposure: 96 mg
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: ORAL; Dosage form: TABLET, FILM COATED, EXTENDED RELEASE; Maximum daily exposure: 19 mg
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: RECTAL; Dosage form: AEROSOL, FOAM; Maximum daily exposure: 1214 mg
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: RECTAL; Dosage form: AEROSOL, METERED; Potency: NA
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: RECTAL; Dosage form: GEL; Maximum daily exposure: 3315 mg
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: RECTAL; Dosage form: OINTMENT; Maximum daily exposure: 27 mg
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: RECTAL; Dosage form: SUSPENSION; Maximum daily exposure: 90400 mg
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: RESPIRATORY (INHALATION); Dosage form: LIQUID; Potency: 10 %w/w
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: RESPIRATORY (INHALATION); Dosage form: SOLUTION; Potency: 25 %w/w
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: SUBCUTANEOUS; Dosage form: INJECTION; Potency: 1.4 %w/v
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: SUBCUTANEOUS; Dosage form: INJECTION, SOLUTION; Potency: 1.4 %w/v
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: SUBLINGUAL; Dosage form: SPRAY; Maximum daily exposure: 36 mg
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: TOPICAL; Dosage form: AEROSOL; Potency: 19.2 %w/w
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: TOPICAL; Dosage form: AEROSOL, FOAM; Maximum daily exposure: 1800 mg
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: TOPICAL; Dosage form: CLOTH; Potency: 0.03 mg/mg
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: TOPICAL; Dosage form: CREAM; Maximum daily exposure: 6113 mg
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: TOPICAL; Dosage form: CREAM, AUGMENTED; Potency: 8 %w/w
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: TOPICAL; Dosage form: EMULSION; Potency: 8 %w/w
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: TOPICAL; Dosage form: GEL; Maximum daily exposure: 4522 mg
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: TOPICAL; Dosage form: GEL, METERED; Maximum daily exposure: 1225 mg
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: TOPICAL; Dosage form: JELLY; Potency: 20 %w/w
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: TOPICAL; Dosage form: LOTION; Maximum daily exposure: 3392 mg
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: TOPICAL; Dosage form: LOTION, AUGMENTED; Maximum daily exposure: 2070 mg
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: TOPICAL; Dosage form: OINTMENT; Maximum daily exposure: 5148 mg
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: TOPICAL; Dosage form: OINTMENT, AUGMENTED; Maximum daily exposure: 714 mg
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: TOPICAL; Dosage form: SHAMPOO; Potency: 8 %w/w
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: TOPICAL; Dosage form: SHAMPOO, SUSPENSION; Potency: 2 %w/w
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: TOPICAL; Dosage form: SOLUTION; Maximum daily exposure: 4886 mg
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: TOPICAL; Dosage form: SPONGE; Potency: 40 %w/w
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: TOPICAL; Dosage form: SUSPENSION; Potency: 5.28 %w/v
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: TOPICAL; Dosage form: SUSPENSION/ DROPS; Potency: 0.75 %w/v
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: TOPICAL; Dosage form: SWAB; Potency: 34.6 %w/w
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: TOPICAL; Dosage form: SYSTEM; Maximum daily exposure: 4200 mg
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: TRANSDERMAL; Dosage form: FILM, EXTENDED RELEASE; Potency: 58.13 mg
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: TRANSDERMAL; Dosage form: GEL; Maximum daily exposure: 500 mg
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: VAGINAL; Dosage form: AEROSOL, FOAM; Potency: 6.4 %w/w
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: VAGINAL; Dosage form: GEL; Maximum daily exposure: 750 mg
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: VAGINAL; Dosage form: SUPPOSITORY; Potency: 252 mg
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: VAGINAL; Dosage form: TAMPON; Potency: 62.1 mg
- US: marketed drug occurrence — FDA NDC lists this ingredient in 97 active drug products and 114 total products.
- US: listed in openFDA substance — openFDA substance registry classifies this ingredient as chemical.
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: VAGINAL; Dosage form: CREAM; Maximum daily exposure: 1225 mg
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: AURICULAR (OTIC); Dosage form: SOLUTION; Potency: 56.55 %w/v
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: AURICULAR (OTIC); Dosage form: SOLUTION/ DROPS; Potency: ADJ PH
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: AURICULAR (OTIC); Dosage form: SUSPENSION; Potency: 10 %w/v
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: BUCCAL; Dosage form: FILM; Potency: 1.48 mg
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: BUCCAL; Dosage form: FILM, SOLUBLE; Maximum daily exposure: 5 mg
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: DENTAL; Dosage form: OINTMENT; Potency: NA
- US: inactive ingredient database — Route: DENTAL; Dosage form: PASTE; Potency: 0.5 %w/w

## Expert safety opinions

- SCCS (EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety): no opinion on file.
- CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review (US expert panel)): no opinion on file.
- EFSA (European Food Safety Authority): Re-evaluation of propane-1,2-diol alginate (E 405) as a food additive (EFSA ANS) — 2018 — https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2018.5371; Re-evaluation of propane-1,2-diol (E 1520) as a food additive (EFSA ANS) — 2018 — https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2018.5235; Scientific Opinion on the evaluation of the substances currently on the list in the Annex to Commission Directive 96/3/EC as acceptable previous cargoes for edible fats and oils - Part I of III (EFSA CONTAM) — 2011 — https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2011.2482; Scientific Opinion on Flavouring Group Evaluation 92 (FGE.92): Consideration of aliphatic acyclic diols, triols, and related substances evaluated by JECFA (68th meeting) structurally related to aliphatic primary and secondary saturated and unsaturated alcohols, aldehydes, acetals, carboxylic acids and esters containing an additional oxygenated functional group and lactones evaluated by EFSA in FGE.10Rev1 (2009). EFSA Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes, Flavourings and Processing Aids (CEF) (EFSA CEF) — 2010 — https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2010.1453.
- JECFA (Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives): JECFA evaluation record. — https://apps.who.int/food-additives-contaminants-jecfa-database/Home/Chemical/786; JECFA evaluation lists ADI 0-25 mg/kg bw (1973). Functional class: carrier solvent, glazing agent, humectant. — https://apps.who.int/food-additives-contaminants-jecfa-database/Home/Chemical/2698.

## Data sources

- CosIng (updated 2026-09-23): https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/details/37269
- EFSA OpenFoodTox (updated 2026-10-04): https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8120114
- EPA Chemical and Products Database (updated september-26-2014): http://msds.gp.com/msdsinternet/
- EPA DSSTox Identifiers (updated 2025-12-29): https://epa.figshare.com/articles/dataset/Chemistry_Dashboard_Data_DSSTox_Identifiers_Mapped_to_CAS_Numbers_and_Names/5588566
- FDA Inactive Ingredient Database (updated 2026-01-09): https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-approvals-and-databases/inactive-ingredients-database-download
- FDA National Drug Code Directory (updated 2028-05-17): https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-approvals-and-databases/national-drug-code-directory-support-files
- FDA GSRS UNII (updated 2026-02-26): https://precision.fda.gov/uniisearch/
- WHO JECFA Database (updated 2026-10-04): https://apps.who.int/food-additives-contaminants-jecfa-database/Home/Chemical/1813
- openFDA Substance (updated 2026-05-24): https://api.fda.gov/other/substance.json?search=unii:6DC9Q167V3
- PubChem Live Enrichment (updated 2026-05-17): https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/1030

_Assessed by Greenveil._