Ethylhexylglycerin

Ethylhexylglycerin may be difficult to pronounce but that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth learning about. It's a commonly used ingredient in modern skincare, often standing in for parabens in preservative systems. Below, we cover how ethylhexylglycerin functions, which products commonly contain it, and the safety considerations around it.

Overview

As the name suggests, ethylhexylglycerin is derived from glycerin. More specifically, it is an alkyl glyceryl ether, meaning the ethylhexyl group is bound to glycerin at one end. It was first developed by German scientists in the early 1990s and most often comes from vegetable glycerin. Today, ethylhexylglycerin appears in a wide range of personal care products — most commonly foundations, lipsticks, face masks, moisturisers, eye shadows, sunscreens, serums, conditioners, shampoos, bronzers, and concealers. Keep reading to understand why it's used across such a broad range of formulas.

Benefits

Why is ethylhexylglycerin found in everything from lipstick to shampoo? It's versatile — functioning as a preservative, a surfactant, a deodoriser, and a skin-conditioning agent. As a preservative, it helps prevent a product from spoiling; sometimes it works on its own, other times alongside another preservative like phenoxyethanol as a preservative enhancer. It also acts as a surfactant, reducing surface tension between substances (like oil and water), which makes it easier to wash oil or dirt off skin — one of the main reasons it shows up in cleansers, body washes, shampoos, and conditioners. As a deodoriser, it helps prevent the growth of odour-causing bacteria, keeping a product smelling consistent over its shelf life. And thanks to its glycerol component, it has genuine skin-conditioning and softening properties.

Safety

As with most preservatives, there's a mild risk of irritation when applying ethylhexylglycerin topically — particularly for those predisposed to skin irritation, such as people with sensitive skin, eczema, or psoriasis. Always do a patch test, and if you notice a reaction, discontinue use immediately.

Want to understand more of the ingredients behind your skincare? Browse the full Skincare Ingredient Library.