active
Isobutane / Propane
Hydrocarbon aerosol propellant blend used in foam shampoo and dry shampoo aerosol formats. The standard clean alternative to CFC propellants.
Benefits
- Aerosol propellant for foam formation
- Clean alternative to CFC propellants
- Enables mousse and foam textures
- Odourless at use concentrations
- High purity grades available
Example uses
- Foam shampoos
- Mousse styling products
- Dry shampoo aerosols
- Aerosol sunscreens
- Whipped body products
Mechanism of action
Functions purely as a gas propellant — expands in the aerosol headspace, creating pressure that expels the liquid formula through the valve as a foam or mist. No pharmacological or dermatological mechanism.
Clinical evidence · High
Well-characterised propellant with established safety profile. No active skin mechanism.
Effective concentration range
q.s. (as propellant pressure requirement)
Formulation notes
Functions in pressurised aerosol cans. No skin-active function — propellant role only. Flammable — fire-safety labelling required on packaging.
Watchouts
Highly flammable — appropriate storage and use warnings required. LPG-derived; fossil fuel origin may be flagged by ultra-sustainable brands exploring compressed air alternatives.
Controversies & overclaims
Fossil fuel propellant derivation is the primary sustainability concern. Not a safety concern.
Market positioning
Marketed implicitly as clean propellant alternative to CFCs. Accurate relative to fluorocarbon propellants; absolute sustainability framing overstated.
Comedogenicity
0 / 5
Sensitisation risk
Low
INCI & aliases
Isobutane
butane/isobutane/propane propellant · LPG propellant · aerosol propellant blend
Clean beauty perception
Generally accepted in clean beauty. Not present on clean ingredient ban lists. Fossil fuel origin occasionally noted but no established health concern at cosmetic use.
Graph relationships
Timeline