Propylene Glycol Butyl Ether

Propylene Glycol Butyl Ether molecular structure
molecular structure · PubChem
AKA: N-Butoxy-2-propanol, 1-Butoxy-2-propanol, 1-Butoxypropan-2-ol, 5131-66-8, 2-PROPANOL, N-Butoxypropanol, 2-Hydroxy-3-butoxypropane, Propasol solvent B, 1, 2-Propylene glycol 1-monobutyl ether
Synthetic
Humectant
Solvent
Clean
OriginSynthesized from propylene glycol and butyl ether through etherification of petrochemical-derived starting materials. Produced via chemical reaction combining propylene glycol with butanol under catalytic conditions.
2-Propanol, 1-butoxy-; 1-butoxypropan-2-ol
Solubility Solubility in water, g/100ml: 6 (moderate)
Formula
C7H16O2
Mol. Weight
132.20
CAS #
5131-66-8
Form
Powder
State
Liquid; NKRA
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Caution
Functions
Humectant
A moisture magnet. Pulls water from the air and deeper skin layers up to the surface to keep skin plump and hydrated.
Solvent
Dissolves other ingredients so they distribute evenly in the formula. Often the invisible "base" everything else is mixed into.
Viscosity Controlling
Locks In Moisture
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewed1 paper →
⚖️Regulatory1 listing →
🛡️Safety-assessed1 review →
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
EWG
2
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Caution
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
1 study / 1 not sensitizing (CIR 726)
Mixed Skin Irritation Results
4 studies / 3 irritating / 1 not irritating / reactions minimal to slight (CIR 726)
Mixed Eye Irritation Results
1 study / 1 mixed (CIR 726)
Concentration Guide
CIR lists it as not reported to be in use.
CIR · report published 2022
Regulatory Status
USA✔ permitted
EU⚠ restricted
JAPAN⚠ restricted
CANADA⚠ restricted
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR