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1,4-Butanediol
AKA “Butane-1, Tetramethylene glycol, 4-Butylene glycol, 4-Dihydroxybutane, 4-Tetramethylene glycol, Sucol B, Tetramethylene 1, DIOL 14B”
Synthetic
Ingredient Facts
1,4-Butanediol
AKA: Butane-1, Tetramethylene glycol, 4-Butylene glycol, 4-Dihydroxybutane, 4-Tetramethylene glycol, Sucol B, Tetramethylene 1, DIOL 14B
Synthetic · Humectant · EWG: 1
Synthetic
Humectant
Solvent
Skin Conditioner
Synthetic
Clean
A lightweight humectant that helps dissolve and blend other ingredients evenly throughout the formula, ensuring smooth application and consistent product performance.
Solubility greater than or equal to 100 mg/mL at 73 °F (NTP, 1992)
Formula
C4H10O2
Mol. Weight
90.12
CAS #
110-63-4
Form
Liquid
State
1,4-butanediol appears as odorless colorless liquid or solid (depending upon temperature). (USCG, 1999)
See origin →
Functions
Solvent
Dissolves other ingredients so they distribute evenly in the formula. Often the invisible "base" everything else is mixed into.
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.
Dissolves Ingredients
Locks In Moisture
Fights Bacteria
Antioxidant Protection
Dissolves other ingredients
Traditional Use
A synthetic humectant and preservative booster developed in the 20th century. Used in cosmetics to enhance hydration and improve formulation stability beyond traditional plant-based alternatives.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types, gentle
Best For
Dehydration
Melanin-Rich Skin
Suitable
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Caution
EWG
1
CIR
Safe w/Qualifications
Pregnancy
Caution
CIR Safety Findings
ewg-1
medical-approval
pregnancy-nursing-safe
all-shades-safe
Moderate Irritant
Regulatory Status
USA✔ permitted
EU⚠ restricted
JAPAN⚠ restricted
CANADA⚠ restricted
1,4-Butanediol
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
1,4-Butanediol/Succinic Acid/Adipic Acid/HDI Copolymer
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Bis-Hydroxyethyl Acrylate Poly(1,4-Butanediol)-9/TMHDI Copolymer
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Bis-Isostearyl 1,4-Butanediol/HDI/Hydrogenated Dimer Dilinoleyl Alcohol Copolymer
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
A review of the metabolism of 1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether-crosslinked hyaluronic acid dermal fillers.
De Boulle K, Glogau R, Kono T, Nathan M, Tezel A et al.
Dermatologic surgery : official publication for American Society for Dermatologic Surgery [et al.], 2013
→
A review of the metabolism of 1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether-crosslinked hyaluronic acid dermal fillers.
De Boulle K, Glogau R, Kono T, Nathan M, Tezel A et al.
Dermatologic surgery : official publication for American Society for Dermatologic Surgery [et al.], 2013
→
A review of the metabolism of 1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether-crosslinked hyaluronic acid dermal fillers.
De Boulle K, Glogau R, Kono T, Nathan M, Tezel A et al.
Dermatologic surgery : official publication for American Society for Dermatologic Surgery [et al.], 2013
→
A review of the metabolism of 1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether-crosslinked hyaluronic acid dermal fillers.
De Boulle K, Glogau R, Kono T, Nathan M, Tezel A et al.
Dermatologic surgery : official publication for American Society for Dermatologic Surgery [et al.], 2013
→
1,4-Butanediol
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Verified Feb 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR