Is propanediol the same as propylene glycol?

No. Propanediol is a different diol derived from corn, increasingly used in 'clean' formulas as an alternative to propylene glycol. CIR has reviewed them separately and rated propanediol acceptable at concentrations up to around 40 percent in leave-on products.

CIR's safety review of alkane diols including propanediol found no meaningful irritation concerns at cosmetic use levels, even in leave-on products like deodorant sticks at high concentrations.

solvent · humectant

Propanediol

Generally safe·Moderate evidence

A corn-derived solvent and humectant that has largely replaced propylene glycol in "clean" formulas; CIR reviewed the alkane diol group and found use concentrations up to about 40 percent in leave-on products like deodorant sticks with no meaningful irritation signal.

Questions

Is propanediol the same as propylene glycol?: No. Propanediol is a different diol derived from corn, increasingly used in 'clean' formulas as an alternative to propylene glycol. CIR has reviewed them separately and rated propanediol acceptable at concentrations up to around 40 percent in leave-on products.
Is propanediol safe?: CIR's safety review of alkane diols including propanediol found no meaningful irritation concerns at cosmetic use levels, even in leave-on products like deodorant sticks at high concentrations.

Products with Propanediol

References

CIR Safety Assessment of Alkane Diols as Used in Cosmetics (Final Report) ↗

Cosmetic information for general education, not medical advice. A verdict is a reading of the published evidence, never a guarantee for your skin: any ingredient can irritate someone, so patch test new products and see a professional if you react. Concern is graded on cited evidence, never on hazard-score lists. See how we score.