PROPANEDIOL

📋 Quick facts

Description: PROPANEDIOL — hydration, solvent, enhances penetration of other ingredients.

All Functions: hydration, solvent, enhances penetration of other ingredients

Quick Facts:

• Category: humectant

Proven Benefits At A Glance:

• Propanediol is a humectant—a substance that draws moisture into the skin
• Research shows it increases skin hydration and improves skin barrier function within 15 minutes of application
• It works at various concentrations (5%, 10%, or 15%), with higher concentrations showing stronger effects
• When combined with glycerol, propanediol’s hydrating benefits are enhanced
• It can be produced from renewable resources through fermentation, making it a more sustainable alternative to chemically synthesized versions

⚗️ Chemical Overview

Propane-1,3-diol is the simplest member of the class of propane-1,3-diols, consisting of propane in which one hydrogen from each methyl group is substituted by a hydroxy group. A colourless, viscous, water-miscible liquid with a high (210C) boiling point, it is used in the synthesis of certain polymers and as a solvent and antifreeze. It has a role as a metabolite and a protic solvent. 1,3-propanediol has been reported in Solanum lycopersicum with data available. 1,3-propanediol is a metabolite found in or produced by Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Source(s): LOTUS – the natural products occurrence database, Yeast Metabolome Database (YMDB), ChEBI, via PubChem

📊 Comedogenicity

🛡️ Safety rating

Safety tier is a starting heuristic from regulatory status and comedogenic rating, not a dermatological verdict — see our Terms for the full disclaimer. Research confidence reflects how many real cited studies back this ingredient, not the strength of their findings.

🌍 Regulatory Status

💧 Skin Type Compatibility

⚠️ Don’t Combine With

📚 Research & Evidence

🔬 The Science

Propanediol (also called 1,3-propanediol or 1,3-PDO) is a small organic molecule with two hydroxyl groups (—OH), which makes it “bifunctional” and useful in cosmetics as a humectant (Int J Cosmet Sci, 2024; Biotechnol Adv, 2009). #1: It increases skin hydration: In a controlled study of 30 healthy women, propanediol at concentrations of 5%, 10%, or 15%—whether used alone or combined with other humectants like butylene glycol and glycerol—significantly increased skin hydration as measured by capacitance, and this effect persisted for up to 8 hours after application (Int J Cosmet Sci, 2024). #2: It strengthens skin barrier function: The same study measured trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL), which reflects how much water evaporates from the skin surface; all concentrations of propanediol reduced TEWL, meaning the skin’s barrier became more effective at retaining moisture, with 15% concentration showing the most pronounced benefit (Int J Cosmet Sci, 2024).

#3: Higher concentrations and combinations work better: At 15% concentration, propanediol reduced water loss more effectively than at 5% or 10%, and when combined with glycerol, it performed even better than propanediol alone (Int J Cosmet Sci, 2024). On sourcing, propanediol is traditionally made through chemical synthesis but can also be produced via fermentation using microorganisms—a more environmentally friendly approach, though current fermentation yields remain lower than chemical methods (Front Bioeng Biotechnol, 2024; Biotechnol Adv, 2009). Regarding safety, propanediol derivatives used in cosmetics have undergone toxicological review; related compounds like 2-methyl 1,3-propanediol showed low toxicity via oral and dermal routes, minimal skin irritation in human volunteers, and no evidence of skin sensitization or mutagenicity (Regul Toxicol Pharmacol, 2017).

📄 Related Research

Matched by search — not necessarily verified support for every statement above.

• Li B et al. (2024). Progress in 1,3-propanediol biosynthesis. Front Bioeng Biotechnol.
• Pinto JR et al. (2024). Effects of 1,3-propanediol associated, or not, with butylene glycol and/or glycerol on skin hydration and skin barrier function. Int J Cosmet Sci.
• Saxena RK et al. (2009). Microbial production of 1,3-propanediol: Recent developments and emerging opportunities. Biotechnol Adv.
• Fowles J et al. (2017). Studies on the environmental fate, ecotoxicology and toxicology of 2-methyl 1,3-propanediol. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol.
• Becker LC et al. (2018). Safety Assessment of Tromethamine, Aminomethyl Propanediol, and Aminoethyl Propanediol as Used in Cosmetics. Int J Toxicol.

🧴 Products Containing PROPANEDIOL

• Nivea Men NIVEA Men Active Energy Hydraterende Dagcrème
• Nivea Nivea q10 plus anti rides
• Nivea Tônico Facial Nivea Controle do Brilho
• Nivea Q10 Plus Soin de jour FPS 15
• Nivea Perles de Q10 sérum concentré
• BRYNILD GRUPPEN AS Nivea Night Care Cellular 50ml
• BRYNILD GRUPPEN AS Nivea Sensitive Day Care 50ml
• BRYNILD GRUPPEN AS Nivea Day Care Q10 Plus C 50ml
• Nivea Nivea lait démaquillant
• NIVEA kids sensitive protect
• Beiersdorf Nivea Ansiktsmaske Urban Skin Radience 1stk
• Balea, Balea Med, dm Ultra Sensitive Reinigungsmilch (2 in 1, für Gesicht und Augen)
• GEHWOL med Express Pflege-Schaum
• Daytox Daytox Cleansing Foam
• Cien Cell Intense Cien
• Lacura Fußbalsam – Oliven- & Rosmarinöl
• BRYNILD GRUPPEN AS Nivea Roll-On Magnesium 50ml
• Tandpasta
• caremare RHODOPHYTA ALOE VERA SHIELD DAY CREAM
• Sun Ozon Sonnenmilch
• Elkos for Men Gesichtscreme
• RETINOL RETINOL SKIN CREAM
• Hair System by Watsons Micellar Botanical Purifying Shampoo
• Tiger Moon Retinol Night Cream
• L’Oréal, L’Oreal Luxe, The Body Shop ginger scalp serum
• John Frieda FRIZZ esse Traumlocken
• Biosolis Lait solaire Baby & Kids SPF 50+
• Monte dos bens Creme para mãos
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• Bioélixire Odżywka do włosów zniszczonych
• Elmiplant Skin Moisture
• RiseWell Mineral Toothpaste
• Arad Body Soufflé
• LILLEBORG AS Sunsilk Deo Coconut Care 50ml
• apoteket Sollotion SPF 30
• apoteket Sollotion SPF 30
• BRYNILD GRUPPEN AS Nivea Q10 Day & Night Cream Gavepakke
• ACO Kids Active Sun Lotion SPF 50+
• By Veira Curl Shampoo
• Nivea Loción Tónico Facial Matificante