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preservative

Ethylhexylglycerin

Multi-functional preservative booster and skin-conditioning ingredient. One of the most broadly adopted paraben alternatives in clean beauty globally.

Benefits
  • Broad-spectrum preservative booster
  • Skin conditioning humectant
  • Reduces surface tension improving product spreadability
  • Synergistic with phenoxyethanol reducing required concentrations
  • Low dermal sensitisation potential
Example uses
  • Peptide serums
  • PDRN combination formulas
  • Lightweight moisturisers
  • SPF formulas
  • Haircare products
Mechanism of action
Ethylhexyl ether of glycerol disrupts microbial surface proteins and cell membrane function via surface-active mechanism. Reduces surface tension of microbial cell surface, improving effectiveness of co-preservatives. Hygroscopic glycerol backbone contributes secondary humectant function.
Clinical evidence · Moderate

CIR and SCCS safety assessments completed. Preservative synergy with phenoxyethanol well-characterised.

Effective concentration range
0.1–1% (preservative booster); up to 3% (conditioning)
Formulation notes
Effective across pH 3–8. Typically used at 0.1–0.5% as preservative booster; higher concentrations for conditioning function. Compatible with most actives.
Watchouts
At high concentrations can cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals. Some environmental questions about synthetic ether provenance.
Controversies & overclaims
No significant controversy. Occasionally flagged in ultra-natural formulations as synthetic.
Market positioning
Sold as gentle natural-origin preservative. Partially accurate — glycerol component is bio-derived but the ethylhexyl ether formation is industrial synthesis.
Comedogenicity

0 / 5

Sensitisation risk

Low

INCI & aliases

Ethylhexylglycerin

2-ethylhexyl glycerine ether · pelargonic acid glycerol ether

Clean beauty perception

Very widely accepted in clean beauty as paraben-free preservation. EWG rating 1–2. One of the most trusted clean-beauty preservative choices.

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