Pentylene Glycol (1,2-Pentylene glycol or Pentane-1,2-diol) is a natural diol derived from sugar cane bagasse's remaining waste. This multifunctional ingredient serves as a moisturizer, solubilizer, preservative, and so on.
1,2-Pentylene glycol is a well-known moisturizer due to the humectant properties of the molecule, proven scientifically by in-vivo studies. Also, it is an excellent solubilizer, as Pentylene glycol helps to solubilize many challenging ingredients, including fragrances. It can also be used to increase the clarity of translucent formulations like aqueous gels and toners.
It protects products from harmful bacteria and improves shelf-life, working synergistically with many preservatives, boosting their efficacy and thus helping to reduce their dose. In addition, Pentane-1,2-diol stabilizes formulations, especially oil-in-water emulsions, which helps reduce the particle size of emulsions, thus providing less coalescence and better stability.
This diol enhances other ingredients' bioavailability (proven by ex-vivo study), boosting the activity of both lipophilic and hydrophilic actives. Furthermore, Pentylene glycol improves pigment distribution, aids in making whiter and shinier emulsions, promotes penetration into the skin, and improves the efficiency of cooling agents.