Propylene Glycol (translation: propylene glycol ) is a synthetic substance used in many industries. It is used in the production of chemicals (example: antifreeze), cosmetics, in the food industry, in pharmacology. But what do we know about this substance? How harmful or beneficial is it? Should the presence of Propylene Glycol in cosmetics be avoided? We will talk about this in this article.
What is propylene glycol?
It is a syrupy, transparent, liquid that does not have color, taste or smell. Propylene glycol is a product of petrochemical production, it is completely soluble in water, decomposes when it enters the soil without harm. It is used in almost all cosmetics. By adding to solid deodorants, the manufacturer ensures that the product does not melt and does not lose shape. Propylene glycol is a good moisturizer, it draws moisture from the air and delivers it to the skin. However, according to many women, Glycerin Propylene Glycol, which is included in creams, in a dry climate, on the contrary, draws moisture from the skin and delivers it into the air. Ambiguously, we will understand this in the course of the article.
Regarding the addition of the substance to food and medicine, the FDA has identified it as “generally safe”. However, in 2001 propylene glycol was banned from being added to cat food.
Propylene glycol in soap
Propylene Glycol in cosmetics is the most common occurrence. It is added to soap, tonic for washing, shower gel and other products that we use daily. The most common harm that it causes is the appearance of allergic contact dermatitis on the skin. The substance is famous for its ability to aggravate acne problems (cause it to appear) and eczema due to the fact that it helps to destroy the membrane of skin cells.
The advantages of such cleansers is that the skin remains hydrated, and many women confirm this. Studies have shown that those who used soap without propylene glycol experienced greater discomfort in the form of dryness and tightness of the skin than those that were washed with a product that contains the substance described.
Propylene Glycol in Shampoo
Quite often you can find this chemical in the composition of the components that make up shampoos and hair balms. With the help of this product, the hair after washing becomes smooth and soft, since propylene glycol smoothes them after the detergent base has cleaned of impurities. Dry curls are saturated with moisture, look more healthy and shiny. If you use a balm with propylene glycol, then the hair, even those that have been permed, bleached or dyed, become seemingly vibrant, soft, shiny and easy to comb. In addition, this substance will appeal to women with curly curls, it will make each curl even more coquettish and neat, and prevent their swarming.
Another plus of propylene glycol is that it, working together with jojoba oil, olive, almond or other effective oil that is part of the shampoo, fights brittleness, dry hair, restores them, increases elasticity and protects against damage.
Propylene Glycol in cosmetics
Often the substance is added to various cosmetics as a moisturizer and thickener. Cosmetology experts recommend manufacturers to add about 50% propylene glycol to their products, but many do not add more than two. Even with such a low concentration of Propylene Glycol in cosmetics, the skin can be incredibly harmful. For many women, it is because of this substance that there is an increased sensitivity and skin irritation, that is, an allergy to cosmetics.
Propylene Glycol in cosmetics is not only moisturizing, but also moisturizing or overdrying. How is this possible? Again, we turn to the results of studies that argue that in a dry climate or frost, the substance absorbs moisture from the hair and skin, which causes them to dry out. In hot weather or in conditions of high humidity, propylene glycol draws moisture from the air and "gives" the skin, which makes it shiny and moisturized. That is, the substance described does not matter where to get moisture, if only to take it!
A little more about propylene glycol and cosmetics
Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate / Dicaprate in cosmetics is a common phenomenon. It can be found in creams, tones, lipstick and other products. Of the minuses - all of the above. Why is this substance added to skin care and makeup products? Thanks to this component, when applying the foundation on the skin, the epidermis "does not suffocate", it is able to breathe, since the layer is well ventilated. You will not feel discomfort caused by a feeling of tightness, as the skin will be moisturized. Still, the product will not fall into a “rubber mask”, it will practically not be felt, it will not make makeup heavier, and you will only feel comfort.
For dry skin, such products are ideal. Mimic and age wrinkles are not visible, which often happens when applying foundation or powder.
Lipstick moisturizes sponges, hides traces of chapping and dryness. With propylene glycol, lipsticks are tougher, do not lose their shape, but are applied much nicer than soft or dry, feel more comfortable on the lips, do not tighten, do not create a sticky effect.
Propylene glycol in food
This substance of the oil refining industry is also a food additive, which can be found under the number in the composition of E1520. Many are sure that because of this component, the development of such a terrible disease as cancer is possible. Modern studies have not confirmed this fact. The tests were carried out on poor, unsuspecting animals, they were fed with rabid doses of propylene glycol for days, and this was what was revealed: in females, a generation with birth defects was born, in males, the amount of seminal matter was reduced.
What will happen to a person?
Propylene Glycol can cause harm to humans if used in large quantities. You need to eat a lot of foods at a time that contain propylene glycol, and you will have to do this every day. There is another way to harm yourself - this is to eat a tube of toothpaste daily, which, you see, is impossible! But it only seems unrealistic to you, but your three-year-old baby will like it, so keep such funds in specially designated lockers that are out of his reach.
The benefits of propylene glycol
We wrote about all the possible (yes, only possible) harm, not the fact that it will affect you. Agree, and milk can be harmful to someone. They also described all the positive qualities of the agents, which contain propylene glycol. Now I want to talk about the benefits brought by the substance, which, as it turned out, are many.
This substance is not able to harm nature, as it completely dissolves in water, turning into safe molecules. When it enters the soil, as already written, it decomposes harmlessly.
Propylene Glycol in cosmetics is often used to create anti-aging products, since its molecule is so small that it helps other substances dissolve faster. Also, the molecules of this substance are a transport for other substances, they accelerate the effects of creams.
Propylene glycol contained in hair dyes can give your hair a truly luxurious and lasting color. The molecules again dissolve other substances faster, including pigment, deliver them to the hair shaft faster, and this is an additional time for fixing the pigment in the hair before washing off.
It is worth noting that propylene glycol has a small antimicrobial and antifungal effect, so in food it serves as a preservative, the amount of which is incredibly small, but can preserve the freshness of the product.
Propylene Glycol in cosmetics works in one more direction, it is able to regulate its temperature, that is, it prevents freezing in the cold and melting in the heat.
How harmful propylene glycol is, how useful it is. Positive qualities completely cover the flaws. Whether or not to use cosmetics containing propylene glycol is up to you. We hope our article will help you make your choice.