Allowed in EU

Polypropanediol-4

A cosmetic ingredient used as emulsion stabilising, plasticiser, solvent in skincare, haircare, and personal-care products sold in the European Union.

What is it?

Polypropanediol-4 is the polymer of Propanediol containing 4 moles of propanediol.

What does it do?

Polypropanediol-4 is listed in the EU cosmetic ingredient inventory with the following declared functions:

  • Emulsion stabilising

    stabilises emulsions of oil and water, preventing separation over time

  • Plasticiser

    adds flexibility to film-forming polymers, e.g. in nail polish or mascara

  • Solvent

    dissolves other ingredients into a uniform liquid phase

  • Surfactant - cleansing

    surfactant whose primary cosmetic role is cleansing — the active workhorse in soaps, shampoos, and body washes

  • Surfactant - emulsifying

    surfactant that forms and stabilises emulsions of oil and water — without it, creams and lotions would separate

  • Viscosity controlling

    adjusts the thickness or flow of a formulation

EU regulatory status

Polypropanediol-4 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 Polypropanediol-4?

Polypropanediol-4 is a cosmetic ingredient catalogued in the EU CosIng database. Polypropanediol-4 is the polymer of Propanediol containing 4 moles of propanediol.

Is Polypropanediol-4 allowed in cosmetics in the EU?

Yes. Polypropanediol-4 is allowed for use in cosmetic products in the EU under Regulation 1223/2009.

What does Polypropanediol-4 do in cosmetic products?

Polypropanediol-4 is declared in the EU cosmetic ingredient inventory with these functions: emulsion stabilising, plasticiser, solvent, surfactant - cleansing, surfactant - emulsifying, viscosity controlling.

What is the CAS number of Polypropanediol-4?

The CAS (Chemical Abstracts Service) number for Polypropanediol-4 is 345260-48-2.

Related ingredients

Source: EU CosIng database (European Commission). This page is derived from public-sector information published by the European Commission. · Last updated: 30/04/2018