Allowed in EU

Butylene Glycol

A cosmetic ingredient used as fragrance, humectant, skin conditioning in skincare, haircare, and personal-care products sold in the European Union.

What is it?

Butane-1,3-diol (CAS No. 107-88-0/ EC No. 203-529-7)(R)-(-)-butane-1,3-diol” (CAS No. 6290-03-5/ EC No. 228-532-0)

What does it do?

Butylene Glycol is listed in the EU cosmetic ingredient inventory with the following declared functions:

  • Fragrance

    provides scent or masks the natural odour of other ingredients

  • Humectant

    draws moisture from the air or deeper skin layers to the surface, helping skin retain water

  • Skin conditioning

    improves the appearance, feel, and condition of skin

  • Solvent

    dissolves other ingredients into a uniform liquid phase

  • Viscosity controlling

    adjusts the thickness or flow of a formulation

EU regulatory status

Butylene Glycol is allowed for use in cosmetic products in the European Union under Regulation 1223/2009. It is not subject to a specific Annex restriction at the time of writing.

Frequently asked questions

What is Butylene Glycol?

Butylene Glycol is a cosmetic ingredient catalogued in the EU CosIng database. Butane-1,3-diol (CAS No. 107-88-0/ EC No. 203-529-7)(R)-(-)-butane-1,3-diol” (CAS No. 6290-03-5/ EC No. 228-532-0)

Is Butylene Glycol allowed in cosmetics in the EU?

Yes. Butylene Glycol is allowed for use in cosmetic products in the EU under Regulation 1223/2009.

What does Butylene Glycol do in cosmetic products?

Butylene Glycol is declared in the EU cosmetic ingredient inventory with these functions: fragrance, humectant, skin conditioning, solvent, viscosity controlling.

What is the CAS number of Butylene Glycol?

The CAS (Chemical Abstracts Service) number for Butylene Glycol is 107-88-0 (i), 6290-03-5 (ii).

Related ingredients

Source: EU CosIng database (European Commission). This page is derived from public-sector information published by the European Commission. · Last updated: 10/10/2019