ORY® product lines:
☑ Skincare
☑ Haircare
☑ Handmade Soap (solvent/humectant in liquid, syndet, and melt-and-pour; additive in cold-process)
☑ Cosmetics — full dual-use ingredient
Propanediol (1,3-propanediol) is a clear, odorless glycol produced by fermenting corn sugar — the plant-based, COSMOS-approved alternative to petroleum-derived propylene glycol (1,2-propanediol). It performs the same jobs: a humectant that draws moisture, a solvent that dissolves actives, extracts, and fragrances, a carrier that improves penetration, and a preservative booster that lets formulas use less preservative — but with a lighter, less tacky feel and a markedly lower sensitization profile than propylene glycol, which was named Contact Allergen of the Year in 2018 [2]. Glycols of this class have been reviewed for cosmetic safety [1], and propanediol’s renewable origin and biodegradability fit ORY®‘s clean-label positioning. It is the default glycol in ORY® formulas across all four lines, and the dispersing medium for gums, powders, and botanical actives.
What is Propanediol made of?
Propanediol is produced by fermenting glucose from corn with engineered microorganisms, then purified by distillation. Points to know [1, 2]:
- 1,3-Propanediol (C₃H₈O₂): Clear, colorless, odorless liquid; fully water- and alcohol-miscible; 100% renewable carbon.
- Humectant: Comparable water-binding to propylene glycol; lighter than glycerin.
- Solvent and penetration enhancer: Dissolves salicylic acid, ferulic acid, allantoin, extracts, and essential oils; improves active delivery.
- Preservative booster: At 5–10% reduces water activity and potentiates preservatives.
- Low sensitization: Markedly lower irritation and allergy rates than propylene glycol [2].
- COSMOS/Ecocert-approved, biodegradable, non-GMO grades available; pH-stable, heat-stable.
What skin type is best suited for Propanediol?
Propanediol is a formulation-level ingredient suitable for all seven ORY® skin types:
- Sensitive: Low sensitization — the glycol of choice over propylene glycol for reactive skin [2].
- Dry: Light humectant; pairs with glycerin and sodium PCA.
- Oily and Acne-prone: Oil-free; carries salicylic acid and niacinamide in light serums.
- Mature: Solvent for ferulic acid and vitamin C derivatives; enhances penetration of actives.
- Combination and Normal: Everyday humectant and solvent.
What hair type is best suited for Propanediol?
Propanediol hydrates and carries actives in haircare:
- Dry or damaged: Light humectant in leave-ins and conditioners.
- Curly and coily: Non-tacky moisture in curl products (less sticky than glycerin in humidity).
- Sensitive scalp: Low-irritation solvent for scalp actives (rosemary, caffeine, saw palmetto extracts).
- Dandruff-prone scalp: Dissolves salicylic acid and piroctone olamine in scalp tonics.
- Mature or thinning: Carrier and penetration enhancer for scalp serums.
- Straight, wavy, color-treated, oily scalp: Light hydration and solvent role.
What are the benefits of Propanediol?
Propanediol’s benefits are functional and well supported [1–3]:
- Humectant: Draws and holds water with a light, non-tacky feel.
- Solvent: Dissolves actives, extracts, and fragrances that resist water.
- Penetration enhancement: Improves delivery of actives into skin.
- Preservative boosting: Lowers water activity; allows reduced preservative levels [3].
- Low sensitization: Safer alternative to propylene glycol [2].
- Sensory improvement: Reduces tackiness of glycerin-rich formulas.
- Gum and powder dispersion: Pre-disperses xanthan, HEC, and allantoin lump-free.
- Renewable, biodegradable: COSMOS-approved.
Dual use across ORY® product lines
Propanediol is a true four-line ingredient — humectant, solvent, and booster across every product type.
| ORY® line | Dual use? | How it is used | Typical level |
|---|---|---|---|
|
ORY® Skincare |
Yes |
Serums, toners, creams, gels, cleansers; solvent for actives and extracts; gum dispersion. |
2–10% |
|
ORY® Haircare |
Yes |
Leave-ins, scalp tonics and serums, conditioners, shampoos. |
2–8% |
|
ORY® Handmade Soap |
Yes |
Solvent/humectant in liquid soap, syndet, and melt-and-pour; carrier for colorants and fragrance in cold-process (small amounts). |
1–5% |
|
ORY® Cosmetics |
Yes |
Foundations, setting sprays, mascaras, lip products, pigment dispersion. |
2–10% |
Pros and cons of Propanediol
Pros
Cons
- Plant-based propylene-glycol replacement: Clean-label.
- Low sensitization: [2].
- Multifunctional: Humectant, solvent, booster, dispersant.
- Light feel: Less tacky than glycerin.
- COSMOS-approved, biodegradable: Sustainability.
- Cost: Higher than propylene glycol.
- Humectant limitation: Pair with emollients in dry air.
- Penetration enhancement: Use judiciously with potent actives on compromised skin.
- Slight sweetness/warmth in lip products: Minor.
- Corn sourcing: Specify non-GMO where required.
What is the best application of Propanediol?
Propanediol is built into water-based formulas:
- Serum: 5% as humectant and active solvent.
- Toner: 3–5%.
- Cream or lotion: 3–5% (reduces glycerin tack).
- Gum dispersion: Pre-mix xanthan or HEC in 3–5× its weight of propanediol.
- Scalp tonic: 5–10% to dissolve actives.
- Liquid soap: 2–5%.
- Cosmetics: 3–8%.
Peer-reviewed references
- Fiume MM, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, et al. Safety assessment of propylene glycol, tripropylene glycol, and PPGs as used in cosmetics. International Journal of Toxicology. 2012;31(5 Suppl):245S–260S.
- Jacob SE, Scheman A, McGowan MA. Propylene glycol. Dermatitis. 2018;29(1):3–5.
- Lundov MD, Moesby L, Zachariae C, Johansen JD. Contamination versus preservation of cosmetics: a review on legislation, usage, infections, and contact allergy. Contact Dermatitis. 2009;60(2):70–78.
Disclaimer:
The information on this page is provided by ORY International, LC for educational purposes only. It summarizes published research about propanediol (1,3-propanediol) as an ingredient, including laboratory and animal studies and clinical studies of formulas that may differ from ORY® products. Results from these studies may not apply to every person or to ORY® products. This page is not medical advice and does not replace advice from a dermatologist, physician, or other qualified healthcare provider.
ORY® Skincare, Haircare, Handmade Soap, and Cosmetics products are cosmetics. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, mitigate, or prevent any disease or condition, including eczema, dermatitis, acne, dandruff, or any other condition. References to FDA or Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) findings describe the ingredient, not ORY® products, and do not mean FDA has reviewed or approved any ORY® product.
Results vary by skin and scalp type, formulation, and use. This ingredient is rarely irritating, and any cosmetic can cause irritation, sometimes from other ingredients. Always patch test, follow label directions, and stop use if irritation occurs. If you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition, or are buying for a child, consult a healthcare provider before use.
ORY International, LC works to keep this page accurate and current but makes no warranty as to its completeness. To the fullest extent permitted by law, ORY International, LC is not liable for any loss or injury arising from reliance on this information or from use of any product contrary to its label directions. To report a reaction, contact us at [insert contact email / phone].
