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Ingredient glossary

1,2-Hexanediol

What 1,2-Hexanediol does for your skin, who it suits, and what to watch for.

INCI: 1,2-Hexanediol

Quietly necessary

In short: 1,2-Hexanediol delivers preservation and hydration, suits most skin types, and the evidence behind it is moderate.

What it does
Preservation, hydration
Best for
Most skin types
Evidence
Moderate
Does it clash with what you use? Check it →

Written by Maya Faour, founder and sole writer; not a dermatologistHow we work →

The molecule

Tap to turn it in 3D

The Glow take

Quiet, essential, and nothing to fear.

1,2-Hexanediol keeps a product safe to use from the first pump to the last, at tiny amounts. Not something you pay a premium for.

— Maya

What it does

  • preservation
  • hydration
  • solvent

moderate evidenceFormulation literature highlights 1,2-hexanediol as an effective booster across a wide pH range with low irritation and added moisturizing benefits.

Why we say this
  • CIR safety review Safety Assessment of 1 and related ingredients 2012

On a label: usually effective at 0.5-3%.

The alkanediol family, at a glance

4 alkanediol entries in the base, 1,2-Hexanediol among them. 2 of the 4 are a humectant.

  1. Methylpropanediol90 Da
  2. Pentylene Glycol104 Da
  3. 1,2-Hexanediol118 Da
  4. Caprylyl Glycol146 Da
What the family shares: 2 of the 4 are a humectant in the base; the rest carry other roles.Ordered by molecular mass, lightest first, from PubChem's formulas.

Who it's for, and who should skip it

Tends to suit

  • all

Approach with care

No specific group flagged to avoid it.

  • Clogs poresLow
  • Irritation riskLow

How it fits each skin type

  • DrySuits
  • CombinationSuits
  • OilySuits
  • SensitiveSuits

Where it fits in your routine

WhenMorning or evening
Where in the orderAfter cleansing, before your moisturizer

Plays well with

1,2-Hexanediol, answered

Is 1,2-Hexanediol safe during pregnancy?

Yes. 1,2-Hexanediol is considered safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. As with anything, if you are unsure it is worth a quick word with your doctor or midwife.

Who should avoid 1,2-Hexanediol?

No specific group is flagged to avoid 1,2-Hexanediol. It is well tolerated by most skin. Still, introduce anything new one product at a time.

What concentration of 1,2-Hexanediol actually works?

1,2-Hexanediol tends to do its job in the 0.5 to 3% range. Much lower and it is likely underdosed.

Can you mix 1,2-Hexanediol with

5 pairings built.

This, for every label you own

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Sources & how we reviewed this

  1. CIR safety review Safety Assessment of 1 and related ingredients 2012summary page only, the document itself was not read

Last reviewed . Educational information about a cosmetic ingredient, not medical advice.

What changed on this page

  • : what the EU regulates
  • : sources
  • : the PubChem record, light stability

See the full changelog →