Home Cosmetic Science Talk Formulating Propylene glycol vs propanediol allergy/irritation

  • Propylene glycol vs propanediol allergy/irritation

    Posted by Bluebird on June 14, 2024 at 4:31 am

    Does anyone know whether someone allergic to propylene glycol can typically use propanediol?

    I have heard of people allergic to PG and not to PD, but it was anecdotal and I am hoping to hear if you have more information.

    I read a paper with data showing that PD is much less irritating than PG. The two are really not the same.

    But when it comes to allergy, does anyone know whether PG allergy and PD allergy are generally different?

    (Such that if you come out as PG allergy positive in an allergy patch test, you should or do not have to avoid PD as well?)

    PhilGeis replied 5 months ago 2 Members · 5 Replies
  • 5 Replies
  • PhilGeis

    Member
    June 14, 2024 at 7:48 am

    Anecdotal reports may have confused irritation and sensitization. CIR reviews (RIPT and animal data) found neither to be a sensitizer.

    https://cir-reports.cir-safety.org/view-attachment?id=3c317d65-8e74-ec11-8943-0022482f06a6

    https://cir-reports.cir-safety.org/view-attachment?id=94742a1a-c561-614f-9f89-14ce58abfc0b

    • Bluebird

      Member
      June 14, 2024 at 7:29 pm

      Thanks, these papers are nice to have.


      I’m mostly wondering about allergy, not sensitization/irritation, though I did mention all of those words with regards to anecdotes and that could have clouded my meaning.


      I’m wondering whether someone who tested positive in a patch allergy test to PG is likely to be also allergic to PD. This is not really in the realm of chemistry as it’s about allergens and immune reactions. I am asking in case folks long in the cosmetics industry have heard about it either way.

      • PhilGeis

        Member
        June 15, 2024 at 4:35 am

        Sensitization aka allergic contact dermatitis.

        • Bluebird

          Member
          June 15, 2024 at 7:25 pm

          So sensitization= allergic contact dermatitis, then.

          Earlier you mentioned neither PD nor PG is a skin sensitizer.

          And yet there are people whose allergy patch panel test shows as positive to PG for a fact

          (PG is tested in several concentrations in a patch test).

          So am I interpreting it right that when you said PG was not found as a skin sensitizer,

          you meant it’s not an ingredient that commonly causes allergic contact dermatitis?

          (That allergy is rare?)

          • PhilGeis

            Member
            June 16, 2024 at 12:48 pm

            I meant nothing and only repeated what the CIR found and concluded. The studies they cite were unable to provoke sensitization by HRIPT.

            Are you sure the alleged reports (can your offer citation?) do not address irritation?

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