Butylene glycol is vegan. The skincare compound is often chemically produced in a lab. Mostly from fossil fuel or sugarcane. Although one is more environmentally friendly than the other, both of them are considered to be vegan-friendly.
What is Butylene Glycol? What Is It Made Of?
Butylene glycol is a chemical compound – an alcohol. It is mainly used in the skincare industry as a humectant, solvent, and preservative.
Butylene glycol is a colorless and almost odorless liquid when at room temperature. It is easily mixable with water. As well as soluble with other common alcohols such as acetone and ethanol.
Butylene glycol is produced synthetically. It is either derived from petroleum aka fossil fuel or sugar cane. Synthetic butylene glycol is made from oil by catalytic hydrogenation. Butylene glycol from sugarcane, however, is made by the process of fermentation.
Butylene glycol can also be approved as an organic compound. But only if it is obtained from organically grown sugarcane.
Butylene glycol can irritate the skin, eyes, and nasal passages in sensitive individuals. However, it is considered the least irritating of all glycols.
Why Is Butylene Glycol Used In Skincare?
Butylene glycol is used in skincare mostly as a humectant and solvent. Furthermore, as alcohol is antiseptic, it actually treats pimples and blackheads.
The skincare compound prevents the product from drying out. And makes the formulation more resistant to moisture.
Besides maintaining the water content, butylene glycol is also a masking agent. It reduces or inhibits the base odor of the product.
Alcohols also serve as reliable solvents. For this reason, they are used in most industries. So, butylene glycol helps other ingredients to dissolve better in the product.
Just as important as the butylene glycol’s dissolving ability is its antimicrobial and preservative effect.
Bacteria, fungi, and viruses generally have little chance against butylene glycol. This means that products such as creams, lotions, and cleansing products last longer. Its antimicrobial effect means that pathogens multiply slower.
Above all, butylene glycol benefits impure skin. The alcohol disinfects and likely puts an end to inflamed pimples and blackheads.
Although alcohols sometimes dry the skin out, butylene glycol is actually able to moisturize it. It binds moisture and prevents excessive moisture loss. So, the skin could also look smoother and healthier afterward.
Butylene Glycol is often found in vegan moisturizers and vegan serums and vegan suncreens among others.
FAQ About Butylene Glycol
Butylene glycol is a chemical compound – an alcohol. It is mainly used in the skincare industry as a humectant, solvent, and preservative.
Butylene glycol is either derived from petroleum aka fossil fuel or sugar cane. Synthetic Butylene glycol is made from oil by catalytic hydrogenation. Butylene glycol from sugarcane, however, is made by the process of fermentation.
Yes. Butylene glycol is considered to be vegan.
Summary
Butylene glycol is a vegan ingredient in cosmetics and skincare. It is mainly used as a humectant and preservative. Moreover, butylene glycol cures pimples. As well as helps the skin maintain hydration.
Butylene glycol comes from petroleum or sugar cane. Although both origins are vegan, the cane version is considered to be more environmentally friendly. To find out what ingredient is in the product, we recommend contacting the brand.
See also: Vegan Skincare Products
