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Propylene Glycol Stearate Self-Emulsifying
AKA “propylene glycol, 2-propanediol, propane-1, 2-Propylene glycol, 2-dihydroxypropane”
Ingredient Facts
Propylene glycol stearate self-emulsifying
AKA: 2-propanediol, Propane-1, 2-Propylene glycol, 2-dihydroxypropane
Botanical-Derived Synthetic · Humectant · EWG: 4
Plant-Derived Synthetic
Humectant
Fragrance
Solvent
Skin Conditioner
Plant Oil
Clean
Science: Origin: Botanic/Natural Safety Ratings: CIR: Safe as used
Effective at 1.0%
Formula
C3H8O2
Mol. Weight
76.09
CAS #
57-55-6
See origin →
Functions
Humectant
A moisture magnet. Pulls water from the air and deeper skin layers up to the surface to keep skin plump and hydrated.
Fragrance
Added for scent. Can be natural or synthetic. Common irritant and allergen — one of the top reasons people react to products.
Solvent
Dissolves other ingredients so they distribute evenly in the formula. Often the invisible "base" everything else is mixed into.
Thickener
Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Viscosity Controlling
Brightening
Evens out dull skin tone for a more radiant, lit-from-within look
Anti-Inflammatory
Wound Healing
Traditional Use
Developed in the mid-20th century as a synthetic emulsifier combining propylene glycol with stearic acid. Used in cosmetics since the 1950s to stabilize oil-and-water mixtures and improve product texture.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Melanin-Rich Skin
Suitable
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
EWG
4
CIR
Safe
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Concentration Guide
9.9e-05%
2.0%
0%14%
Effective Range
CIR reported use: 0.000099-2
Regulatory Status
USA✔ permitted
EU⚠ restricted
JAPAN⚠ restricted
CANADA⚠ restricted
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Propylene glycol dermatitis.
J M Catanzaro, J G Smith
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 1991
→
Propylene glycol dermatitis.
J M Catanzaro, J G Smith
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 1991
→
Propylene glycol dermatitis.
J M Catanzaro, J G Smith
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 1991
→
Addendum to the Final Report on the Safety Assessment of 2-Bromo-2-Nitropropane-1,3-Diol (JEPT 4(4) 47-61 1980)
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
→
Final Report of the Safety Assessment for 2-Bromo-2-Nitropropane-1,3-Diol
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
→
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Butylene Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Ethoxydiglycol, and Dipropylene Glycol
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
→
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of PEG-25 Propylene Glycol Stearate, PEG-75 Propylene Glycol, PEG-120 Propylene Glycol Stearate, PEG-10 Propylene Glycol, PEG-8 Propylene Glycol Cocoate, and PEG-
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
→
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Propylene Glycol (PG) Dicaprylate, PG Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, PG Dicocoate, PG Dipelargonate, PG Isostearate, PG Laurate, PG Myristate, PG Oleate, PG Oleate SE,
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
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Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Propylene Glycol and Polypropylene Glycols
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
→
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Propylene Glycol Stearate and Propylene Glycol Stearate Self-Emulsifying
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
→
Final Report: Amended Safety Assessment of PEG Propylene Glycol Derivatives as Used in Cosmetics
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
→
Final Report: Safety Assessment of Propylene Glycol Esters as Used in Cosmetics
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
→
Revised Tentative Report: Amended Safety Assessment of 2-Bromo-2-Nitropropane-1,3-Diol as Used in Cosmetics
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
→
Safety Assessment of Propylene Glycol, Tripropylene Glycol and PPGs as Used in Cosmetics
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
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2-Bromo-2-Nitropropane-1,3-Diol
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Verified Feb 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR