1,2-Hexanediol is a versatile

1,2-Hexanediol is a versatile, mild polyol used in cosmetics for moisturizing, enhancing preservatives, and dissolving actives. It improves texture, reduces stickiness, and is safe for sensitive skin/baby care. Often paired with preservatives, it boosts efficacy while lowering irritation. Ideal for skincare, sunscreens, and makeup.

1,2-Hexanediol (1,2-Hexanediol) is a multifunctional ingredient commonly used in cosmetics. It belongs to the polyol family and possesses core benefits such as moisturizing, preservative enhancement, and solvent/cosolvent properties. Due to its mildness and good compatibility, it is widely used in various skincare, makeup, and cleansing products.

I. Core Benefits

1. Moisturizing

1,2-Hexanediol contains two hydroxyl groups (-OH), making it highly hydrophilic. It achieves moisturizing through two mechanisms:

Hygroscopic hydration: By forming hydrogen bonds with water molecules, it absorbs moisture from the environment and retains it in the skin’s surface.

Water-binding barrier: It forms a hydrating film on the skin’s surface, reducing transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and enhancing skin’s moisturizing ability.

Compared to short-chain polyols (such as glycerin), 1,2-Hexanediol has a longer carbon chain (6 carbon atoms), resulting in a more refreshing and non-sticky moisturizing effect, making it particularly suitable for oily and combination skin types.

2. Preservative Enhancer

1,2-Hexanediol is a key ingredient in a typical “additive-free preservative system.” While its inherent antibacterial activity is relatively weak, it can synergize with other preservatives (such as phenoxyethanol, ethylhexylglycerin, and parahydroxyacetophenone) to enhance preservative effectiveness and reduce the use of traditional preservatives.

Antibacterial Mechanism: By disrupting microbial cell membranes and interfering with their metabolism, it exhibits a synergistic inhibitory effect, particularly against Gram-negative bacteria (such as Escherichia coli) and yeasts (such as Candida albicans).

Alternative Advantage: It reduces the use of traditional preservatives such as formaldehyde-releasing agents and parabens, lowering irritation and allergy risks, and aligning with the trend toward “mild preservatives.”

3. Solvent/Cosolvent

1,2-Hexanediol possesses both hydrophilic (hydroxyl) and lipophilic (carbon chain) properties. It can be used as a solvent or cosolvent to help dissolve difficult-to-dissolve active ingredients in cosmetics (such as plant extracts, fat-soluble vitamins, and sunscreens), improving formulation stability. It can also improve product texture and reduce crystallization or separation.

4. Improved Skin Feel

Due to its moderate carbon chain length (6 carbon atoms), 1,2-Hexanediol not only moisturizes but also imparts a refreshing, smooth feel to products, avoiding the stickiness associated with shorter-chain polyols (such as propylene glycol). It is particularly well-suited for formulations such as lotions, serums, and gels.

Main Applications

Due to its mildness and versatility, 1,2-Hexanediol is widely used in various cosmetics, particularly for sensitive skin, infant care, and functional products where mildness is a critical requirement:

1. Skincare

Moisturizing: Creams, lotions, serums, toners, etc., enhancing the user experience by both moisturizing and improving skin feel.

Functional Products: In whitening, anti-aging, and repair products, it acts as a solvent to dissolve active ingredients (such as vitamin C derivatives and retinol) while also providing a synergistic preservative to ensure the stability of the active ingredients.

Sensitive Skin/Post-Aesthetic Products: Due to its extremely low irritation profile (skin irritation testing shows no noticeable irritation at concentrations ≤ 5%), it is often used in sensitive skin repair creams and barrier repair lotions.

2. Baby Care Products

Babies and young children have delicate skin and are sensitive to preservatives and irritants. The mildness of 1,2-Hexanediol makes it an ideal ingredient for products like baby creams, diaper balms, and body washes. It can replace some traditional preservatives and reduce the risk of allergies.

3. Cosmetics and Personal Care

Cosmetics: In foundations, lipsticks, eye shadows, etc., it acts as a solvent to help disperse pigments while also improving product smoothness and longevity.

Hair Care Products: In shampoos, body washes, conditioners, etc., it moisturizes to alleviate dry hair and skin while enhancing the system’s anti-corrosive properties.

4. Sunscreen Products

In sunscreens, 1,2-Hexanediol can dissolve fat-soluble sunscreens (such as oxybenzone and homosalate), improving the uniformity of the sunscreen system while also providing synergistic preservatives and reducing skin irritation.

Safety and Dosage

Safety: 1,2-Hexanediol has been confirmed by cosmetic ingredient safety assessments (e.g., CIR, EFSA) to have low irritation and sensitization potential at standard dosages (typically 0.5%-5%), and is non-genotoxic or carcinogenic. It can be used in infant and child products and products for sensitive skin.

Dosage: Adjust based on desired efficacy. For moisturizing, 0.5%-2% is added. For preservation and enhancement, it is typically combined with other preservatives (e.g., 0.5%-3% 1,2-Hexanediol + 0.3%-1% phenoxyethanol). For solvent functions, it can be added as needed (up to 5%).

Summary

1,2-Hexanediol is a versatile cosmetic ingredient, offering moisturizing, preservative, enhancement, and solvent benefits. It combines excellent mildness, a refreshing skin feel, and strong compatibility, making it widely suitable for skincare, makeup, and baby care. It is a key ingredient in mild formulas and sensitive skin-friendly products, driving the development of safer and more comfortable cosmetics.