What Is Propylene Glycol And Why You Should Avoid It.
What is propylene glycol? It is is a chemical found in personal care products that acts as a penetration enhancer that keeps products from melting in heat and/or freezing when it is cold. It is found in items such as shampoo, conditioner, soap, acne treatment, moisturizer, toothpaste, deodorant, nail polish, mascara; basically anything you could possibly use on your body, propylene glycol is in it. But why should you avoid propylene glycol?
For starters it alters the structure of the skin by allowing chemicals to penetrate deep beneath it while increasing their ability to reach the blood stream. Sounds lovely, right? So even if propylene glycol was good for you, it’s main job is to help any other chemicals you come in contact with reach your bloodstream. However, there is even more to it than just that…
How Toxic is Propylene Glycol
According to the Environmental Working Group, propylene glycol can cause a whole host of problems. It is rated a 4 by them, which is categorized as a “moderate” health issue. It has been shown to be linked to cancer, developmental/reproductive issues, allergies/immunotoxicity, neurotoxicity and endocrine disruption. It has been found to provoke skin irritation and sensitization in humans as low as 2% concentration, while the industry review panel recommends cosmetics can contain up to 50% of the substance.
How to Spot Propylene Glycol
When looking at ingredient lists, you can look for names like 1,2-Dihydroxypropane; 2-Hydroxypropanol; Methylethy Glycol; 1,2-Propanediol; Propane-1,2-Diol. Some popular products (and you can see the full list of 1,041 here) that contain propylene glycol include:
- Clarins Extra Firming Starter Collection
- Colorsilk by Revlon
- Noxzema Bikini Clear Shave Gel
- Hawaiian Tropic Deep Tanning Creme Lotion
- Clairol Herbal Essences
So take a look at the ingredients of the products that you use and search for propylene glycol or the other names it is often called. I try my best to only use safe, natural products, but I am always reading labels in the store before I purchase anything. EWG lists safe products as well as pointing out the toxic ones, so if you are looking for alternatives to your favorites, be sure to check them out. Next time you are shopping for a personal care item, be sure to remember what propylene glycol is and do your best to avoid it!
Related posts:
- Good Human Tip Of The Week – Less Toxic Antifreeze.
- What Is Butyl Cellosolve And Why You Should Avoid It.
- What Is 1,4-Dioxane And Why You Should Avoid It.
- Organic, Paraben-Free Makeup For You Eco-Ladies.
- What Is Triclosan And Why You Should Avoid It.
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David,
Another reason to make your own skin care products – and it’s really easy to do. The only thing that I don’t make yet is deodorant & toothpaste. Homemade deodorant is next up on my to-do – cornstarch & baking soda.
I’ve posted recipes of how to make your own lotions, soaps (use for shampoo also), and lip balm on my blog.
http://fimby.tougas.net/soap_body_care
Wow… I was just reading The Gorgeously Green Diet, where she mentions a number of additives to avoid. This one was not on the list, but as I pulled the bag of coconut shreds from my fridge to use as a dessert garnish, I saw propylene glycol on the ingredients and decided to google it.
Scary. Thank you for your post on it’s dangers. Certainly something to consider, and for multiple reasons. I do not believe it is something I want to be eating or feeding my family (and in the trash the bag goes!).
Andrew, just because something is in a ton of foods and ADDITIVES and fake COLOURING does not make it safe, nor does the US FDA declaring it safe mean it is. Honestly, hydrogenated oils and artificial sweeteners are declared safe enough that they are not taken off the market, yet clear evidence shows they can have very negative effects on the body are are non-essential to a healthy diet. Like ALL additives, this one can butt out.
I believe that the FDA is allowing the toxins to be used in all products. The claim to safety is ‘false’ and remember how Pharmacuetical corporations keep pumping out all kinds of pills that later turn out to have killed many and be linked to cancer, and or depression and sucidal tendency that shows that the FDA is on the dole. And lobbyists from major corporations do their best to get their products patent and put human and dog and cat products.Best to go natural that include No flouride in mouth wash and water,tooth paste. Just cause Donald Runsfeld helped push that through in to our major product doesn’t mean its safe, it means money for the companies who make it.
The ONLY reason these additives are legal is because our lawmakers make it legal. Congress stopped being public servants long ago. They serve whoever has the richest lobby. Congress catering to big business is the reason ingredients that have been banned for years in other countries are allowed in the U.S. Propylene glycol(aka Dihydroxypropane or 2-Hydroxypropanol or Methylethy Glycol) should only be found in your antifreeze but it’s everywhere because its the cheapest solution to a problem AND AND AND because Congress was successfully lobbied to keep it legal. The lawmakers are where the breakdown occurs but the people have yet to fire them.
I think you are confusing propylene glycol with ethelyne glycol with is toxic. PG antifreeze is labeled as “non-toxic” antifreeze and is used in mechanical food systems where a leak may occur. Not saying that it is entirely safe because you or I can not know that for sure. Just because a chemical is used in something that is considered toxic does not mean that the chemical it self is toxic. If you click on the Envrionmental Workong Group in the article it only lists allergies as the primary concern for PG. And nowhere have I seen that Propylene Glycol is banned in any countries.