Pentylene Glycol – Humectant & Preservative Booster

Pentylene Glycol is a multifunctional cosmetic ingredient used to add moisture, improve skin feel, enhance ingredient solubility, and support preservation systems.

It works particularly well in serums, creams, lotions, toners, facial products, shampoos, conditioners, and other water-based formulations. Pentylene Glycol is also valued for helping formulations feel smooth and lightweight without leaving a heavy or sticky finish.

Pentylene Glycol is also known chemically as 1,2-Pentanediol.

Benefits

• Functions as a humectant to help support skin hydration
• Adds a smooth, lightweight feel to formulations
• Useful as a solvent for cosmetic ingredients
• Helps support and boost cosmetic preservation systems
• Suitable for skin care and hair care products
• Excellent for water-based formulations
• Useful in modern minimalist formulations

Popular Uses

Serums & Toners
Adds hydration while helping maintain a light, elegant skin feel.

Creams & Lotions
Useful as part of the water phase for added humectancy and improved sensory feel.

Facial Care
Ideal for moisturizers, gels, essences, eye products, and other leave-on formulations.

Shampoo & Conditioner
Can be incorporated into hair care formulations to provide moisture and formulation support.

Cleansers & Body Care
Suitable for facial cleansers, body washes, lotions, and other personal care products.

How to Use

Pentylene Glycol is generally incorporated into the water phase of cosmetic formulations.

Use according to the recommended level provided with your specific raw material and adjust according to the needs of the formulation.

Pentylene Glycol can support a preservative system, but it should not automatically be treated as a complete preservative on its own. Finished water-containing products should still undergo appropriate preservation and stability testing.

Ingredient Information

INCI Name: Pentylene Glycol

Chemical Name: 1,2-Pentanediol

CAS Number: 5343-92-0

Molecular Formula: C5H12O2

Botanical Name: Not applicable – non-botanical cosmetic ingredient

Great For

Serums, toners, creams, lotions, facial moisturizers, gels, cleansers, shampoos, conditioners, body care products, and cosmetic emulsions.