1,2-Hexanediol is a multifunctional liquid cosmetic ingredient used in skincare, personal-care and cosmetic formulations. It is also known as Hexylene Glycol? No — 1,2-Hexanediol is chemically distinct from Hexylene Glycol and should not be confused with it. 1,2-Hexanediol is identified by CAS Number 6920-22-5.
1,2-Hexanediol is a six-carbon aliphatic diol containing two hydroxyl groups. It is supplied as a colourless to slightly yellow liquid and is used in cosmetic formulations primarily for its solvent, humectant and skin-conditioning properties. It can also support the preservation strategy of selected cosmetic formulations as part of a multifunctional ingredient system.
In cosmetic formulation, 1,2-Hexanediol can help dissolve or disperse selected ingredients while contributing to moisture retention and formulation feel. It is particularly relevant to modern skincare and personal-care formulations where multifunctional ingredients are preferred.
1,2-Hexanediol should not be confused with 1,6-Hexanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol derivatives or Hexylene Glycol. These materials have different molecular structures and formulation properties.
1,2-Hexanediol is an aliphatic diol with six carbon atoms and two hydroxyl groups. Its chemical structure gives it both hydrophilic and organic-compatible characteristics, allowing it to perform multiple functions in cosmetic formulations.
It is commonly supplied as a clear, colourless liquid with low odour. Its compatibility with water and many cosmetic ingredients makes it useful in creams, lotions, serums, gels and other personal-care products.
In skincare formulations, 1,2-Hexanediol may act as a solvent and humectant, helping with the incorporation of other ingredients and supporting the moisture characteristics of the finished formulation.
It can also be used as a formulation-support ingredient in preservative systems. The exact role and concentration should always be determined through formulation development and applicable regulatory assessment.
1,2-Hexanediol can function as a solvent in cosmetic formulations.
Its chemical structure enables it to interact with both water-compatible and selected organic formulation components. This can help formulators incorporate suitable active ingredients, botanical components and other functional materials.
It may be considered for:
Its solvent performance depends on the specific ingredient being dissolved and the overall formulation composition.
1,2-Hexanediol can also contribute to the humectant properties of cosmetic formulations.
Humectant ingredients help attract and retain moisture. In skincare formulations, 1,2-Hexanediol may therefore contribute to the moisture profile and sensory characteristics of creams, lotions, serums and gels.
It is often considered as a multifunctional formulation ingredient rather than a primary high-level humectant.
1,2-Hexanediol can contribute to skin-conditioning characteristics in appropriate cosmetic formulations.
Its inclusion can support the overall sensory profile of skincare products while also providing solvent and moisture-related functionality.
It can be evaluated in:
1,2-Hexanediol is also used in some cosmetic preservation strategies as a multifunctional ingredient.
It may be combined with other preservation components or multifunctional cosmetic ingredients to help formulate products with an appropriate microbial-control system.
However, 1,2-Hexanediol should not automatically be treated as a complete standalone preservative for every formulation. Preservation efficacy should be established through appropriate formulation testing, including challenge testing where applicable.
1,2-Hexanediol can be considered for use in:
Its final application and concentration should be determined according to the formulation, intended cosmetic use and applicable regulatory requirements.
1,2-Hexanediol is normally supplied as a clear, colourless to slightly yellow liquid.
Its liquid form allows convenient incorporation into a wide range of cosmetic formulation systems.
1,2-Hexanediol has useful water compatibility and can be incorporated into many aqueous or mixed-phase formulations.
The exact solubility behaviour can depend on concentration, temperature and the presence of other formulation components.
The solvent properties of 1,2-Hexanediol can help incorporate selected cosmetic ingredients into finished formulations.
Formulators should perform compatibility and solubility testing before selecting the material for a specific active ingredient or formulation system.
Commercial cosmetic grades can be supplied at high purity. The exact assay should be taken from the applicable supplier COA/TDS.
A universal numerical assay should not be assigned to every cosmetic grade because specifications can differ by manufacturer and application.
Density is temperature- and grade-dependent. Representative commercial specifications may place the density of high-purity 1,2-Hexanediol around 0.93–0.95 g/mL, but the current supplier specification should be used for commercial documentation.
Refractive index can be used as a quality-control parameter for suitable grades. The exact specification depends on the material grade and measurement temperature.
Water content should be controlled according to the applicable cosmetic-grade specification. Hygroscopicity and storage conditions can affect the measured water level.
Neat 1,2-Hexanediol does not have a single meaningful cosmetic formulation pH value. Finished cosmetic products should be evaluated for pH after all ingredients have been incorporated.
Compatibility should be evaluated with:
1,2-Hexanediol can generally be incorporated into the appropriate phase of a cosmetic formulation according to its solubility and the requirements of the complete system.
Mixing temperature, order of addition and concentration should be established during product development.
1,2-Hexanediol should be stored in a tightly closed container under suitable cool and dry conditions and protected from contamination.
Supplier-specific storage instructions should be followed for the selected grade.
1,2-Hexanediol can be used in:
For cosmetic manufacturers, 1,2-Hexanediol offers a combination of solvent, humectant and formulation-support functionality in a single liquid ingredient.
It can be particularly useful in modern skincare formulations where manufacturers seek multifunctional ingredients that support formulation performance while maintaining a suitable sensory profile.
When selecting a commercial grade, manufacturers should evaluate:
The current supplier COA and TDS should be used as the controlling documentation for the specific batch and grade.
Swapnroop provides 1,2-Hexanediol for applicable cosmetic, personal-care and formulation requirements with a focus on consistent quality and commercial supply.
Key advantages include:
1,2-Hexanediol is a six-carbon aliphatic diol used as a multifunctional cosmetic ingredient, particularly for solvent, humectant, skin-conditioning and formulation-support applications.
The CAS Number of 1,2-Hexanediol is 6920-22-5.
The molecular formula is C₆H₁₄O₂.
The molecular weight of 1,2-Hexanediol is approximately 118.17 g/mol.
Yes. 1,2-Hexanediol is normally supplied as a clear, colourless to slightly yellow liquid.
1,2-Hexanediol is used primarily for solvent, humectant, skin-conditioning and formulation-support functions.
Yes. 1,2-Hexanediol can contribute humectant and moisture-related functionality in suitable cosmetic formulations.
Yes. It can function as a solvent for selected cosmetic ingredients and can support the incorporation of functional components into formulations.
Yes. It can be evaluated for use in skincare products including serums, moisturizers, creams, lotions and gels.
1,2-Hexanediol is commonly used as a multifunctional formulation-support ingredient in preservation systems, but it should not automatically be considered a complete standalone preservative. The finished formulation's preservation efficacy should be validated.
No. 1,2-Hexanediol and Hexylene Glycol are different chemical substances with different molecular structures and properties.
No. 1,2-Hexanediol and 1,6-Hexanediol have the same molecular formula but different hydroxyl-group positions and therefore are different chemical compounds.
It should be kept in tightly closed containers under suitable storage conditions and protected from contamination, excessive heat and unnecessary environmental exposure.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Colourless to light-yellow liquid or oily liquid |