Humectants

Propylene Glycol: Comedogenic Rating & Safety Profile

Also known as: 1,2-Propanediol · PG

A small humectant and solvent that helps actives penetrate the skin. Very common in serums and toners.

Comedogenic

0/5

Safe

0 = won't clog pores · 5 = highly pore-clogging

Irritancy

2/5

Low Risk

0 = inert · 5 = often irritating

Function

Humectants

Pregnancy

Generally considered safe

Vegan

Typically yes

Also Known As

1,2-Propanediol, PG

Quick verdict

Propylene Glycol is a humectant with a safe comedogenic profile (0/5) and low risk irritancy (2/5). A small humectant and solvent that helps actives penetrate the skin. Very common in serums and toners.

What is Propylene Glycol?

Propylene glycol (PG, or 1,2-propanediol) is a small, water-soluble humectant and solvent. It helps actives penetrate the skin and gives toners and serums their fluid texture. Cosmetic-grade PG is purified to USP standards and is also widely used in pharmaceuticals and food (it is approved as a food additive in most countries). Despite occasional internet panic, PG has an extensive safety record at cosmetic concentrations.

Comedogenic Rating: What 0/5 Means for Your Skin

Propylene glycol is rated 0/5 comedogenic. It is too small and too water-soluble to clog pores.

Benefits for skin

Boosts penetration of other actives
Lightweight humectant
Stable across pH ranges

Potential side effects & who should avoid it

PG has a 2/5 irritancy rating. About 2–4% of people develop a contact allergy with regular use, particularly those with sensitive or eczema-prone skin. If you have a documented PG allergy, look for products that use butylene glycol or pentylene glycol instead.

Best for

All skin types
Normal
Combination

Avoid if

Documented PG-allergic users
Severely sensitive skin

How to use Propylene Glycol safely

If you have sensitive skin, patch test new PG-containing products on the inner forearm for 48 hours before regular use. Otherwise, no special precautions.

Commonly found in

Propylene glycol appears in toners, essences, serums, gels and many K-beauty products.

Found Propylene Glycol in your skincare?

Paste the full ingredient list into our INCI Analyser to see how this ingredient interacts with everything else in the formula.

Frequently asked questions

Is propylene glycol comedogenic?

No — 0/5.

Is propylene glycol safe for sensitive skin?

Most people tolerate it. About 2–4% develop contact allergy with regular use — patch test if you are sensitive.

Can I use propylene glycol every day?

Yes, unless you develop an allergic reaction.

Is propylene glycol toxic?

No — at cosmetic and food concentrations it is well within safe limits and approved by FDA, EFSA and other regulators.

Other humectants to know

Hyaluronic Acid

A powerhouse humectant that draws moisture from the air into the skin, holding up to 1,000 times its weight in water.

Panthenol

Converts to Vitamin B5 in the skin. A humectant, soothing agent and barrier-repair active in one molecule.

Allantoin

A gentle keratolytic and soothing agent that calms irritation and softens roughness without exfoliating aggressively.

Sodium Hyaluronate

The salt form of hyaluronic acid. Smaller, more stable and faster to penetrate the upper layers of the skin.

Want the full picture on pore-clogging ingredients? Read our complete guide to comedogenic ingredients for the dermatology research behind the 0–5 scale and the full list of high-risk ingredients to avoid.

Sources

Written by ScanSkinAI Cosmetic Science Team · Last updated June 2026

This information is for educational purposes only. Always patch-test new products and consult a dermatologist if you have specific skin concerns.