CosmeticBet
Preservatives

Ethylhexylglycerin

INCI: ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN

A helper that makes a preservative work harder.

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C11H24O3204.31 g/mol
oxygencarbonhydrogen
3D shape from PubChem 9859093

How common

All products8.2%
In face moisturisers31%
In sunscreens22%
In make-up products13%

1,213 of 14,784 products with a full ingredient list in Open Beauty Facts; No. 31 of all the names found on their labels.

What it is

  • An ether of glycerin with a branched eight-carbon chain (3-[(2-ethylhexyl)oxy]-1,2-propanediol). PubChem describes it as an emollient solvent with antimicrobial activity.

    3 sourcesHide
    3-[(2-Ethylhexyl)oxy]-1,2-propanediol[1] PubChem (US National Library of Medicine) · open source
    Octoxyglycerin[1] PubChem (US National Library of Medicine) · open source
    An emollient solvent with antimicrobial activity.[2] PubChem (US National Library of Medicine) · open source

Why it is in products

  • To boost a preservative, commonly phenoxyethanol, so that less preservative is needed; it also softens the skin.

    3 sourcesHide
    The concentration of preservatives should be kept as low as possible and this can be achieved by adding potentiating agents.[3] Study · 2016 · open source
    An emollient solvent with antimicrobial activity.[2] PubChem (US National Library of Medicine) · open source
    which is commonly used in cosmetics together with PE[3] Study · 2016 · open source

What it does

  • It damages bacterial membranes. In a lab test, a little of it with phenoxyethanol (1 part to 9) worked as well as twice as much phenoxyethanol alone.

    Some evidence2 sourcesHide
    Used alone, EHG disrupted the membrane integrity even at low concentrations.[3] Study · 2016 · open source
    adding EHG to PE in a 1:9 ratio has a similar effect on membrane damage and bacterial viability as doubling the concentration of PE[3] Study · 2016 · open source

Downsides and safety

  • A rare allergen: of 15,560 people patch-tested in North America, 0.25% reacted, about as often as to parabens or phenoxyethanol. Most reactions came from personal care products such as moisturisers.

    Good evidence3 sourcesHide
    Of 15,560 patients tested to EHG, 39 (0.25%) had positive (final interpretation of "allergic") reactions.[4] Study · 2022 · open source
    Ethylhexylglycerin is a rare contact allergen; the positive frequency of 0.25% is similar to other low allergenic preservatives including parabens, benzyl alcohol, and phenoxyethanol.[4] Study · 2022 · open source
    Personal care products were the most common source of exposure to EHG (59.0%).[4] Study · 2022 · open source

Where it works

Works insidethe product

It works in the product, helping the preservative keep germs out.

Some evidenceSourceHide
sub-lethal concentrations of EHG potentiate the effect of PE through damage of the cell membrane integrity[3] Study · 2016 · open source

Rules

European Union

  • No EU limit: it is not on the regulation’s lists of banned or restricted substances, preservatives or UV filters.

    How we checkedHide
    We searched Annexes II to VI of the EU regulation (consolidated text of 18 May 2026): no entry.open the list

United States

  • Not on the FDA’s list of prohibited or restricted cosmetic ingredients. In the US, cosmetics and their ingredients (other than colour additives) don’t need FDA approval before sale.

    SourceHide
    Under U.S. law, cosmetic products and ingredients, other than color additives, do not need FDA approval before they go on the market[5] US Food and Drug Administration · open source
    We searched the FDA’s list of prohibited and restricted cosmetic ingredients: no entry.open the list
About these studies

How it boosts phenoxyethanol rests on one lab study, with co-authors from Schülke & Mayr.

SourceHide
Schülke & Mayr GmbH, Research & Development[3] Study · 2016 · open source

Sources

  1. PubChem: Ethylhexylglycerin (CID 9859093), depositor-supplied synonyms PubChem (US National Library of Medicine)PubChem (US National Library of Medicine)
  2. PubChem: Ethylhexylglycerin (CID 9859093), record description PubChem (US National Library of Medicine)PubChem (US National Library of Medicine)
  3. Ethylhexylglycerin Impairs Membrane Integrity and Enhances the Lethal Effect of Phenoxyethanol Langsrud S et al., PloS one, 2016StudyAuthors include staff of Schülke & Mayr
  4. Patch Testing to Ethylhexylglycerin: The North American Contact Dermatitis Group Experience, 2013-2018 Warshaw EM et al., Dermatitis : contact, atopic, occupational, drug, 2022Study
  5. Prohibited & Restricted Ingredients in Cosmetics | FDA US Food and Drug Administration

Checked against these sources on 4 November 2026. Spot a mistake? Tell us.