Propylene Glycol (PG)

Product Information

CosmySupplies supplies Propylene Glycol Cosmetic Grade (INCI: Propylene Glycol, CAS: 57-55-6) in India, available in small and bulk quantities. A high-purity humectant and solvent for cosmetic formulation, supplied at 99.8% minimum purity with EG and DEG impurities controlled at 0.005% maximum. Functions as humectant, solvent, skin conditioning agent, and penetration enhancer. COA available on request. Shipped from Bengaluru across India.

INCI: Propylene Glycol  |  CAS: 57-55-6  |  EINECS: 200-338-0  |  COSING REF: 37269  |  Origin: Synthetic  |  Purity: Min 99.8%

Functions: Humectant | Solvent | Skin Conditioning Agent | Viscosity Decreasing Agent | Penetration Enhancer | Emulsion Stabiliser

Used In: Face Serums | Vitamin C Serums | Toners | Face Creams | Body Lotions | Shampoos | Conditioners | Lipstick | Foundation | Glycerin Soap | Makeup Removers | Hair Masks

High Purity 99.8% | EG and DEG Controlled | Multifunctional | Active Solubiliser | Widely Used

Benefits

•        Functions as a humectant by drawing moisture from the environment and the deeper layers of the skin to the stratum corneum, keeping the skin surface hydrated and reducing the flaking and tightness associated with dry skin conditions.

•        Acts as a solvent for a wide range of cosmetic actives including Vitamin C derivatives, Niacinamide, peptides, and botanical extracts, enabling formulators to dissolve and uniformly distribute active ingredients throughout the water phase of a formula.

•        Functions as a penetration enhancer by temporarily altering the barrier properties of the stratum corneum, allowing active ingredients carried in the formula to reach viable skin layers more effectively at appropriate concentrations.

•        Improves freeze-thaw stability of cosmetic emulsions, preventing the phase separation that occurs when water-based formulations are subjected to temperature extremes during storage or transport, which is relevant for finished products distributed across varied Indian climate zones.

•        Contributes to emulsion and suspension stability by reducing the tendency of the aqueous phase to promote microbial growth and by acting as a co-solvent that keeps both water-soluble and slightly water-insoluble ingredients in a uniform solution.

•        Provides viscosity reduction in the aqueous phase of formulations, helping formulators achieve a fluid, spreadable texture in serums and lightweight lotions without adding additional thinning agents.

•        CIR Expert Panel assessed Propylene Glycol as safe as used in cosmetic formulations when formulated to be non-irritating at concentrations up to 50% in its 1994 safety assessment, reopened and confirmed in the 2012 re-evaluation (Fiume et al., International Journal of Toxicology, 2012, PMID 23064775).

•        Supplied at minimum 99.8% purity with Ethylene Glycol and Diethylene Glycol both controlled at maximum 0.005%, the critical impurity parameters that distinguish cosmetic and pharmaceutical grade PG from industrial grade, where EG and DEG are not controlled and present genuine health risk at higher concentrations.

Applications

Vitamin C Serum and Active Serum: In a water-based Vitamin C serum, PG at 5 to 15% dissolves the active, supports its uniform distribution in the formula, and contributes humectancy to the finished product. PG is multifunctional: it solubilises the active, acts as a penetration enhancer, and delivers hydration from a single ingredient addition.

Face Cream and Body Lotion: In face cream and lotion formulations, PG is added to the water phase at 1 to 5% to contribute humectancy and improve freeze-thaw stability of the emulsion. Its viscosity-reducing effect also helps achieve lighter, more fluid textures in day creams and body lotions compared to glycerin-only humectant systems.

Toner and Essence: In toner and essence formulations, PG at 2 to 8% functions as both a solvent for actives and a humectant base. It is particularly useful in actives-heavy essence formulas where multiple water-soluble ingredients need to be held in clear solution without precipitation or haze.

Shampoo and Conditioner: In shampoo formulations, PG functions as a humectant and co-solvent for fragrance and botanical extracts. In conditioners, it helps maintain hair moisture, improving softness and reducing frizz. It also improves the foaming stability of surfactant-based shampoo bases at low usage levels.

Colour Cosmetics and Lipstick: In lipstick and colour cosmetic formulations, PG functions as a solvent and stabiliser, ensuring uniform distribution of pigments and dye components, and contributing moisture retention to prevent cosmetic formulas from drying out during their shelf life.

How to Use

For Serum Formulations: Add PG to the water phase of your serum before adding actives. For dissolving Vitamin C derivatives, Niacinamide, or other water-soluble actives, combine PG and the active ingredient first, then add this pre-dissolved mixture to the water phase. Use at 5 to 15% for active solubilisation and humectancy. Stick to a maximum of 15% in leave-on formulations targeting hydration as the primary benefit, as higher concentrations can create a slightly sticky skin feel in humid climates.

For Creams and Lotions: Add PG to the water phase at 1 to 5% of total formula weight. PG is miscible with water in all proportions and does not require special mixing. In emulsion formulas, adding PG to the water phase before combining with the oil phase supports emulsion stability and contributes to freeze-thaw resistance.

For Toners and Essences: Use PG at 2 to 8% in the water phase. Pre-dissolve any actives in PG before adding to the bulk water phase for clearest, most uniform solution. For toners with multiple actives, PG as the pre-dissolution medium reduces the risk of individual actives precipitating when combined.

For Hair Care: Add PG to the water phase of shampoo or conditioner at 1 to 3%. In leave-on hair treatments and masks, PG can be used at up to 5% for moisture retention without creating a greasy finish.

Claims You Can Make

For your label and marketing:

High Purity | EG Free | DEG Free | Multifunctional | Active Solubiliser | Humectant

For your formulator brief:

Humectant | Solvent  | Skin Conditioning Agent | Viscosity Decreasing Agent | CIR assessed safe as used when formulated to be non-irritating at concentrations up to 50% (Fiume et al., 2012, PMID 23064775) | EG impurity controlled at maximum 0.005% | DEG impurity controlled at maximum 0.005%

For formulation support or sample requests, contact the CosmySupplies team.

WhatsApp | Email: info@cosmysupplies.com

Technical Information

Pairs Well With

Glycerin is the most common pairing with PG in humectant systems. PG at 2 to 5% and Glycerin at 3 to 5% in the water phase of a serum or cream creates a layered humectant system where PG provides the lighter, faster-absorbing humectancy and Glycerin provides the deeper, longer-lasting moisture retention. The combination reduces the potential stickiness of high Glycerin concentrations while maintaining strong hydration performance.

Ethyl Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) dissolves cleanly in PG before incorporation into the water phase of a serum. PG as the pre-dissolution medium for Vitamin C actives is taught directly in Akshatha's formulation sessions, and this pairing is the foundation of most DIY and indie brand Vitamin C serum formulations in India. The PG improves both the solubility and the penetration of the Vitamin C derivative in the finished formula.

Niacinamide dissolves readily in water but PG improves the solubility and uniform distribution of Niacinamide in serum formulations where multiple actives are combined. In high-concentration Niacinamide serums at 10 to 20%, PG at 5% helps prevent precipitation and ensures the active stays uniformly dispersed at varying temperatures.

Hyaluronic Acid in the water phase of serums and creams pairs with PG to create a comprehensive humectant system across molecular weight ranges. PG provides immediate surface hydration while Hyaluronic Acid provides a film-forming, water-binding layer. The combination is the standard humectant architecture in premium Indian indie brand serum formulations.

Allantoin dissolves in warm water but PG at 5 to 10% significantly improves the solubility of Allantoin in water at room temperature, which is relevant for formulations manufactured without sustained heating. PG as the solubiliser for Allantoin is a practical formulation tip that reduces the heating requirements for incorporating this active into serum and toner bases.

Lactic Acid pairs with PG in toner and serum formulations where mild exfoliation is combined with hydration. PG contributes humectancy while Lactic Acid provides chemical exfoliation and pH adjustment. As referenced in Akshatha's training, Lactic Acid and PG are used together at low concentrations in formulations targeting hydration alongside gentle exfoliation.