Saturday, April 10, 2010

What's that Ingredient: Propylene Glycol



What's that ingredient?
#3: Propylene Glycol


My 'parabens' video

My 'silicones' video (part 1):

My 'silicones video (part 2):

Synonyms for Propylene Glycol:
epoxypropane
1,2-epoxypropane
methyl ethylene oxide
methyl oxirane
propene oxide
1,2-propylene oxide

Some other names:
1,2-Dihydroxpropane;
2-Hydroxypropanol
Methylethy Glycol
1,2-Propanediol
Propane-1,2-Diol

Let's start off with what a glycol is. Well, a glycol is 'any class of organic compounds belonging to the alcohol family'. Propylene Glycol is one of the many glycol's out there. PG (Propylene Glycol) is metabolized in pyruvic acid, which is organic. This metabolization process is a normal part of the glucose metabolism process, and thus the outcome is energy.
PG is found in products such as moisturizers and deodorants. Deodorants sold in stores, such as whole foods, may have PG as an alternative ingredient to Aluminum, making the product with PG a deodorant, and NOT an antiperspirant (which has aluminum). Basically, PG is a humectant, which prevents things from drying out and "keeps products moist". Sure, it may keep your products moist, but it's an alcohol, and alcohol's dry out your skin, regardless.
Now, on to specifically why PG is bad!
Obviously because PG is metabolized, it is absorbed into the skin. Because this happens, PG alters the structure of one's skin. Putting PG on your skin allows chemicals, not JUST PG, to penetrate deep beneath the layers of your skin. Thus, increasingly the ability for these products to reach the bloodstream.
As for other affects, PG can cause irritation and blistering, is toxic to human cells, alters cell membranes, and causing unnatural thickening of the skin.
While PG is anticipated to be a carcinogen, there are sources on the web that say it either is, or is not.
Therefore, I cannot confirm it!

ALSO...please use caution in reading information on wikipedia. I began my research on PG there, and then confirmed that the information I read was incorrect by reading other respectable sites.

For a another site on PG and it's affects, as well as it's affects on animals, visit:


While I am in no way telling you what products to use and not use, I hope that you make the healthiest and most natural choice for your skin and body.

If you have any questions, please email me at: iluvjesse@me.com