Common Name(s): Cyclohexylglycerin,hexylglycerin,glyceryl ether preservation booster,multifunctional skin conditioner
CAS Number: N/a
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Boosts preservation system efficacy allowing reduced primary preservative loading, provides direct mild antimicrobial activity from c6 chain membrane partitioning, and conditions skin from the glyceryl ether humectant character.
Why It's Used: Hexylglycerin complements caprylyl glycol (c8) in preservation boosting — the shorter c6 chain provides slightly better aqueous solubility for higher-water-activity systems where c8 solubility may be limiting.
How It Works: The c6 alkyl chain (logp ~1.5) provides membrane partitioning for antimicrobial activity through bilayer disruption; slightly lower than c8 (logp ~1.9) providing less potent but more water-compatible antimicrobial activity. glyceryl head group provides formulation compatibility across ph ranges and humectant moisture retention.
Typically Found In: All formulations,natural preservation systems
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Active ingredient – cosmetic active
Secondary Functions: Skin conditioning
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.5%–2%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Conditional - supplier confirmation required
Halal Status: Unverified - supplier confirmation required
Source Notes: Commercially produced for cosmetic use. verify vegan/halal status with supplier. [audit 2026-07-29 rev2: the record's own source_notes does not assert a non-animal origin, or instructs the reader to verify with the supplier; "yes" asserts knowledge the record does not hold. determination requires shariah-panel sign-off.]
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 – very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 – non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Well-tolerated by most skin types.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Good safety profile at recommended concentrations. ewg score: 1–2.
Works Well With: Standard skincare actives
Avoid Combining With: No known significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Hexylglycerin + phenoxyethanol system is fda gras adjacent and cosmos conditionally accepted — providing clean label preservation at lower irritation potential than traditional preservative systems.
Last Verified: 2026-03-22
Primary Sources: Cosing database,hexylglycerin preservation booster skin conditioning review