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Ethylhexylglycerin

Well toleratedPreservativepreservative boosteremollientdeodorant

No meaningful concern for most people; irritation is possible but rare.

Also written as: Octoxyglycerin · 2-Ethylhexylglyceryl Ether

What it is

Ethylhexylglycerin is a glyceryl ether that is not itself a listed EU preservative, but it weakens microbial cell membranes so that a true preservative works harder. It is almost always seen immediately after phenoxyethanol on an ingredient list, and it doubles as a light emollient and deodorising agent.

What it does well

  • Reduces the amount of conventional preservative needed

    By disrupting microbial cell membranes it improves the performance of phenoxyethanol and similar preservatives, which is why the pair is so common in European skincare.

    Moderate evidence

Worth knowing

  • An uncommon but genuine contact allergen

    The North American Contact Dermatitis Group found a 0.25% positivity rate, comparable to parabens and phenoxyethanol, but about 80% of those reactions were clinically relevant, usually from moisturisers.

    Matters most toPeople with persistent dermatitis from moisturisers who have already ruled out the obvious culprits.

Where the EU stands

No specific restriction

Not listed as a preservative in Annex V and not otherwise restricted; used legally as a multifunctional skin-conditioning and preservative-boosting ingredient.

Sources (1)

Every link goes to the original: a journal, a PubMed record or an EU document.

  1. [1]
    Patch Testing to Ethylhexylglycerin: The North American Contact Dermatitis Group Experience, 2013-2018

    Dermatitis · 2022 · doi:10.1097/DER.0000000000000709

    Ethylhexylglycerin was an uncommon allergen with 0.25% positivity, but around 80% of positive reactions were clinically relevant, mostly from moisturisers.

Masks that contain Ethylhexylglycerin