Butoxyethanol
AKA “2-Butoxyethanol, 111-76-2, Butyl glycol, Butyl cellosolve, ETHYLENE GLYCOL MONOBUTYL ETHER, Ethylene glycol butyl ether, n-Butoxyethanol, Butyl oxitol, Dowanol EB”
Ingredient
Ingredient Facts
Butoxyethanol
AKA: 2-Butoxyethanol, 111-76-2, Butyl glycol, Butyl cellosolve, ETHYLENE GLYCOL MONOBUTYL ETHER, Ethylene glycol butyl ether, N-Butoxyethanol, Butyl oxitol, Dowanol EB
Ingredient · Solvent · EWG: 8
Synthetic
Solvent
Not Clean
2-Butoxyethanol; ethylene glycol monobutyl ether; EGBE
Solubility greater than or equal to 100 mg/mL at 72 °F (NTP, 1992)
Formula
C6H14O2
Mol. Weight
118.17
CAS #
111-76-2
Form
Liquid
State
Ethylene glycol monobutyl ether appears as a colorless liquid with a mild, pleasant odor. Less dense than water. Flash point 160 °F. Irritates skin and eyes and may be toxic by ingestion. Used as a so
See origin →
Functions
Solvent
Dissolves other ingredients so they distribute evenly in the formula. Often the invisible "base" everything else is mixed into.
Viscosity Controlling
Moisturizing
Strengthens Barrier
Provides scent
Dissolves other ingredients
Controls product thickness
Traditional Use
A synthetic solvent first synthesized in the early 20th century and incorporated into cosmetics as a solubilizer and preservative booster. It has no traditional cosmetic or medicinal use.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Caution
EWG
8
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Caution
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
ewg-8
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Concentration Guide
4.0%
0%6%
Reg. Limit
EU regulatory limit: 4.0%. a) 4.0% b) 2.0% Source: EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) 1223/2009, Annex III (Restricted Substances), Entry 188.
Regulatory Agencies
🧂Conflict of interest.
Explaining skin permeation of 2-butoxyethanol from neat and aqueous solutions.
Bunge AL, Persichetti JM, Payan JP
International journal of pharmaceutics, 2012
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Butoxyethanol
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Glycolic Acid, Ammonium, Calcium, Potassium, and Sodium Glycolates, Methyl, Ethyl, Propyl, and Butyl Glycolates, and Lactic Acid, Ammonium, Calcium, Potassium,
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Tentative Report: Amended Safety Assessment of Butoxyethanol as Used in Cosmetics
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Butoxyethanol
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Butyl Glycolate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Butoxyethanol
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Butoxyethanol
Health Canada
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
Verified Jun 2026 · 🧪 = conflict
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR