1,2-Butanediol

1,2-Butanediol

AKA “butane-1, 2-diol, 584-03-2, 1, 2-Butylene glycol, 2-Dihydroxybutane, alpha-Butylene glycol, alpha-Butyleneglycol, RUN0H01QEU, DTXSID6040375, NSC-24242”

Humectant

Ingredient Facts

1,2-Butanediol

AKA: Butane-1, 2-diol, 584-03-2, 2-Butylene glycol, 2-Dihydroxybutane, Alpha-Butylene glycol, Alpha-Butyleneglycol, RUN0H01QEU, DTXSID6040375, NSC-24242

Humectant · Humectant · EWG: 1

Synthetic

Humectant

Solvent

Skin Conditioner

Clean

Butane-1,2-diol is a butanediol in which the two hydroxy groups are located at positions 1 and 2. It has a role as a metabolite. It is a glycol and a butanediol.

Solubility SPECIFIC OPTICAL ROTATION: -7.4 DEG AT 22 °C/D (ALCOHOL, 4%); SOL IN WATER, ALCOHOL & ACETONE /L-FORM/

Formula

C4H10O2

Mol. Weight

90.12

CAS #

584-03-2

Form

Liquid

State

Liquid

See origin →

Functions

Humectant

A moisture magnet. Pulls water from the air and deeper skin layers up to the surface to keep skin plump and hydrated.

Skin Conditioning

A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.

Solvent

Dissolves other ingredients so they distribute evenly in the formula. Often the invisible "base" everything else is mixed into.

Viscosity Controlling

Locks In Moisture

Traditional Use

A synthetic humectant developed in the mid-20th century for cosmetics to improve hydration and texture. Created to provide stable, consistent moisturizing properties in modern skincare formulations.