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Data: Limited

Dipropylene Glycol

  • This ingredient’s score is higher if used in products that are inhalable (e.g., sprays, powders) because of respiratory concerns.
  • This ingredient’s score is higher if used in products intended for use around the eyes due to increased risk of absorption.
  • Products with this ingredient are allowed for use in EWG VERIFIED but must meet use restrictions and warnings based on EWG review of company data.

IMAGE SOURCE: PubChem

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Other Concerns

Endocrine disruption (low), Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (low), and Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (moderate)

SYNONYMS

● 1,1'-DIMETHYLDIETHYLENE GLYCOL
● 1,1'-OXYBIS- 2-PROPANOL
● 1,1'-OXYBIS-2-PROPANOL
● 1,1'-OXYDIPROPAN-2-OL
● 2-PROPANOL, 1,1'-OXYBIS-
● 2PROPANOL, 1,1 OXYBIS
● BIS(2-HYDROXYPROPYL)ETHER
● DI-1,2-PROPYLENE GLYCOL
● DIPROPYLENE GLYCOL
● DIPROPYLENE GLYCOL (ISOMER UNSPECIFIED)

This ingredient is not currently on EWG's Skin Deep Restricted or Unacceptable Lists.


Dipropylene glycol is a small molecular weight synthetic solvent.

Common concerns

See how this product scores for common concerns.

  • LOW
    Cancer
  • LOW
    Allergies & Immunotoxicity
  • LOW
    Developmental and Reproductive Toxicity
  • LOW
    Use Restrictions

Ingredient concerns

  • CONCERNS
  • DATA SOURCES

Products with this Ingredient

Expand content Collapse content
conditioner215 products
mask179 products
foundation164 products
antiperspirant/deodorant116 products
facial moisturizer/treatment101 products
daily use with SPF80 products
serums & essences64 products
hair treatment/serum58 products
shampoo52 products
CC cream46 products
antiperspirant/deodorant (men's)41 products
moisturizer40 products
bar soap39 products
facial cleanser39 products
around-eye cream35 products
body wash/cleanser33 products
hair styling aide30 products
lipstick27 products
mascara25 products
eye shadow24 products
toners/astringents22 products
22 products
fragrance for women21 products
concealer17 products
exfoliant/scrub16 products
brow liner16 products
styling gel/lotion13 products
anti-aging12 products
fragrance for men12 products
makeup primer12 products
hair spray12 products
sunless tanning11 products
setting powder/spray11 products
hair color and bleaching10 products
lip gloss10 products
bronzer/highlighter10 products
styling mousse/foam9 products
detangler8 products
makeup remover7 products
body spray6 products
liquid hand soap6 products
hand cream6 products
recreational sunscreen6 products
eye liner5 products
eye makeup remover5 products
foot moisturizer5 products
BB cream5 products
lip balm4 products
bath oil/salts/soak3 products
baby wipes3 products
body oil3 products
lip plumper2 products
beard care2 products
shaving cream2 products
foot cleansing2 products
skin fading/lightener1 products
nail treatment1 products
muscle/joint soreness1 products
nail polish1 products
baby bubble bath1 products
baby soap1 products
beard oil1 products
makeup removing wipes1 products
eyelash glue1 products
facial cleansing wipes1 products
pore strips1 products

Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Human any irritant - strong evidenceCosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments
Limited evidence of any irritationOpen scientific literature

Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Limited evidence of any toxicityOpen scientific literature
Associated with any toxicityOpen scientific literature
One or more animal studies show any effects at high doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient)Open scientific literature
any - weight of evidence unknown/unassessed/unreview: published lit review or major tox studyOpen scientific literature
Classified as a low human health priorityEnvironment Canada Domestic Substance List
Classified as not expected to be potentially toxic or harmfulEnvironment Canada Domestic Substance List

Developmental/reproductive toxicity

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Limited evidence of any toxicityOpen scientific literature

Allergies/immunotoxicity

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Associated with immunotoxicity or allergiesOpen scientific literature

Endocrine disruption

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Associated with endocrine disruptionOpen scientific literature

Data gaps

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Risk assessment method deficiencies and data gaps - Maximum reported "as used" concentration is basis of safety assessment by industry safety panel (Cosmetic Ingredient Review, CIR) - implicit safe concentration limit in productCosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments
73 studies in PubMed science library may include information on the toxicity of this chemicalNLM PubMed

Persistence and bioaccumulation

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Not suspected to be bioaccumulativeEnvironment Canada Domestic Substance List
Not suspected to be persistentEnvironment Canada Domestic Substance List

Informational

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Industry or government recommendations for safe use: restrictions on concentration, impurities, product types, or manufacturing methods - anyCosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments

Ecotoxicology

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Not suspected to be an environmental toxinEnvironment Canada Domestic Substance List
  • CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review). 2006. CIR Compendium, containing abstracts, discussions, and conclusions of CIR cosmetic ingredient safety assessments. Washington DC.
  • Open scientific/peer reviewed literature
  • EC (Environment Canada). 2008. Domestic Substances List Categorization. Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) Environmental Registry.
  • NLM (National Library of Medicine). 2012. PubMed online scientific bibliography data. http://www.pubmed.gov.

Understanding scores

Cosmetics and personal care products are not required to be tested for safety before being allowed on the market. The Skin Deep® scoring system was designed to help the public understand whether a product is safe to use or whether it contains ingredients of concern.

Every product and ingredient in Skin Deep gets a two-part score – one for hazard and one for data availability. The safest products score well by both measures, with a low hazard rating and a fair or better data availability rating.

HOW WE DETERMINE SCORES

Hazard score

The Skin Deep ingredient hazard score, from 1 to 10, reflects known and suspected hazards linked to the ingredients. The EWG VERIFIED® mark means a product meets EWG’s strictest criteria for transparency and health.

Score legend

Data availability

The Skin Deep data availability rating reflects the number of scientific studies about the product or ingredient in the published scientific literature.

NONE LIMITED FAIR GOOD ROBUST
Low Availability
Moderate Availability
High Availability

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