What’s In Your Cosmetics Part 2: Propylene Glycol
- by Sami
Though significantly less dangerous than parabens, scientists have found that Propylene Glycol is a skin irritant even at low doses and is an environmental hazard especially to aquatic life {though certainly not more dangerous than the BP oil spill right now}.
Propylene Glycol is an organic alcohol which is colorless, nearly odorless, clear, and viscous with a faintly sweet taste. It is used to absorb extra water and maintain moisture in certain cosmetics, medicines and food products.
Products: Propylene Glycol can be found practically everywhere! It is used in moisturizers/lotions, foundation, hair dye, shampoo, hand sanitizer, deodorant, tooth paste, mouthwash, fragrance oils, and is even used in pharmaceuticals, as a food additive, in electronic cigarettes, and in UV or blacklight tattoo ink.
Scientific/Chemical Names: Propylene Glycol (PPG). Anytime you see PPG in an ingredient, it is a form of Propylene Glycol.
Hazards: Propylene Glycol actually poses more of a threat to the environment than to the human body. As it degrades, it acts as a water pollutant and also consumes the oxygen in water that aquatic organisms need to survive. As for us humans, Propylene Glycol has been classified as a skin irritant by the Environmental Working Group. Because it makes the skin more susceptible to absorption {which is why it is used in lotions}, there is a concern that Propylene Glycol will contribute to the skin’s absorption of other toxic chemicals found within cosmetics.
Propylene Glycol-Free Products: The Natural Health Information Center has put together a comprehensive list of products that do not contain Propylene Glycol.