Ethylene Glycol
AKA “2-butyl-1, 4-dioxaspiro[4.4]nonane, EINECS 278-963-3, 1, 4-Dioxaspiro[4.4]nonane, 2-butyl-, 2-Butyl-1, 4-dioxaspiro(4.4)nonane, 4-Dioxaspiro(4.4)nonane, DTXSID30888550, RefChem:220748, DTXCID601027827, 4-Dioxaspiro4.4nonane, 278-963-3”
Ingredient
Ingredient Facts
Ethylene glycol
AKA: 2-butyl-1, 4-dioxaspiro[4.4]nonane, EINECS 278-963-3, 1, 4-Dioxaspiro[4.4]nonane, 2-butyl-, 2-Butyl-1, 4-dioxaspiro(4.4)nonane, 4-Dioxaspiro(4.4)nonane, DTXSID30888550, RefChem:220748, DTXCID601027827, 4-Dioxaspiro4.4nonane, 278-963-3
Ingredient · Perfuming · EWG: 6
Synthetic
Fragrance
Not Clean
2-Butyl-1,4-dioxaspiro(4.4)nonane; 1,2,O-2-(tert-Butyl)ethyleneglycol
Formula
C11H20O2
Mol. Weight
184.27
CAS #
78649-62-4
Form
Liquid
See origin →
Functions
Perfuming
Added for scent. Can be natural or synthetic. Common irritant and allergen — one of the top reasons people react to products.
Adds Fragrance
Antioxidant Protection
Reduces Inflammation
Locks In Moisture
Traditional Use
First synthesized in 1859; became widely produced industrially in the 20th century. Adopted in cosmetics as a humectant and solvent, particularly in anti-freeze and moisture-retention skincare formulations.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
Dryness
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Caution
Final report on the safety assessment of Triethylene Glycol and PEG-4.
International journal of toxicology, 2006
Final report on the safety assessment of Triethylene Glycol and PEG-4.
International journal of toxicology, 2006
Final report on the safety assessment of Triethylene Glycol and PEG-4.
International journal of toxicology, 2006
Final report on the safety assessment of Triethylene Glycol and PEG-4.
International journal of toxicology, 2006
Final report on the safety assessment of Triethylene Glycol and PEG-4.
International journal of toxicology, 2006
Final report on the safety assessment of Triethylene Glycol and PEG-4.
International journal of toxicology, 2006
Amended safety assessment of formaldehyde and methylene glycol as used in cosmetics.
Boyer IJ, Heldreth B, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Hill RA et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2013
The influence of the polar head and the hydrophobic chain on the skin penetration enhancement effect of poly(ethylene glycol) derivatives.
Casiraghi A, Di Grigoli M, Cilurzo F, Gennari CG, Rossoni G et al.
AAPS PharmSciTech, 2012
The influence of the polar head and the hydrophobic chain on the skin penetration enhancement effect of poly(ethylene glycol) derivatives.
Casiraghi A, Di Grigoli M, Cilurzo F, Gennari CG, Rossoni G et al.
AAPS PharmSciTech, 2012
The influence of the polar head and the hydrophobic chain on the skin penetration enhancement effect of poly(ethylene glycol) derivatives.
Casiraghi A, Di Grigoli M, Cilurzo F, Gennari CG, Rossoni G et al.
AAPS PharmSciTech, 2012
The influence of the polar head and the hydrophobic chain on the skin penetration enhancement effect of poly(ethylene glycol) derivatives.
Casiraghi A, Di Grigoli M, Cilurzo F, Gennari CG, Rossoni G et al.
AAPS PharmSciTech, 2012
The influence of the polar head and the hydrophobic chain on the skin penetration enhancement effect of poly(ethylene glycol) derivatives.
Casiraghi A, Di Grigoli M, Cilurzo F, Gennari CG, Rossoni G et al.
AAPS PharmSciTech, 2012
The influence of the polar head and the hydrophobic chain on the skin penetration enhancement effect of poly(ethylene glycol) derivatives.
Casiraghi A, Di Grigoli M, Cilurzo F, Gennari CG, Rossoni G et al.
AAPS PharmSciTech, 2012
The influence of the polar head and the hydrophobic chain on the skin penetration enhancement effect of poly(ethylene glycol) derivatives.
Casiraghi A, Di Grigoli M, Cilurzo F, Gennari CG, Rossoni G et al.
AAPS PharmSciTech, 2012
Amended Safety Assessment of Formaldehyde and Methylene Glycol as Used in Cosmetics
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Final Report of the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel Amended Safety Assessment of Triethylene Glycol and Polyethylene glycols (PEGs)-4, -6, -7, -8, -9, -10, -12, -14, -16, -18, -20, -32, -33, -
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of PEG (Polyethylene Glycol)-2, -4, -6, -8, -12, -20, -32, -75 and -150 Dilaurate; PEG-2, -4, -6, -8, -9, -10, -12, -14, -20, -32, -75, -150, and -200 Laurate; an
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Polyethylene Glycols (PEGs) -6, -8, -32, -75, -150, -14M, -20M
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Triethylene Glycol and PEG-4
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Special Report on the Reproductive and Developmental Toxicity of Ethylene Glycol and its Ethers
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Diethylene Glycol Diethylhexanoate/Diisononanoate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Diethylene Glycol Diisononanoate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Diethylene Glycol/DMAP Acrylamide/PEG-180/HDI Copolymer
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Methylene Glycol
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Triethylene Glycol
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Triethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Diethylene Glycol Diethylhexanoate/Diisononanoate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Ethylene Glycol
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Triethylene Glycol
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Safety assessment on polyethylene glycols (PEGs) and their derivatives as used in cosmetic products.
Fruijtier-Pölloth C
Toxicology, 2005
Safety assessment on polyethylene glycols (PEGs) and their derivatives as used in cosmetic products.
Fruijtier-Pölloth C
Toxicology, 2005
Safety assessment on polyethylene glycols (PEGs) and their derivatives as used in cosmetic products.
Fruijtier-Pölloth C
Toxicology, 2005
Safety assessment on polyethylene glycols (PEGs) and their derivatives as used in cosmetic products.
Fruijtier-Pölloth C
Toxicology, 2005
Safety assessment on polyethylene glycols (PEGs) and their derivatives as used in cosmetic products.
Fruijtier-Pölloth C
Toxicology, 2005
Safety assessment on polyethylene glycols (PEGs) and their derivatives as used in cosmetic products.
Fruijtier-Pölloth C
Toxicology, 2005
Safety assessment on polyethylene glycols (PEGs) and their derivatives as used in cosmetic products.
Fruijtier-Pölloth C
Toxicology, 2005
Safety assessment on polyethylene glycols (PEGs) and their derivatives as used in cosmetic products.
Fruijtier-Pölloth C
Toxicology, 2005
Safety assessment on polyethylene glycols (PEGs) and their derivatives as used in cosmetic products.
Fruijtier-Pölloth C
Toxicology, 2005
Safety assessment on polyethylene glycols (PEGs) and their derivatives as used in cosmetic products.
Fruijtier-Pölloth C
Toxicology, 2005
Safety assessment on polyethylene glycols (PEGs) and their derivatives as used in cosmetic products.
Fruijtier-Pölloth C
Toxicology, 2005
Safety assessment on polyethylene glycols (PEGs) and their derivatives as used in cosmetic products.
Fruijtier-Pölloth C
Toxicology, 2005
Safety assessment on polyethylene glycols (PEGs) and their derivatives as used in cosmetic products.
Fruijtier-Pölloth C
Toxicology, 2005
Safety assessment on polyethylene glycols (PEGs) and their derivatives as used in cosmetic products.
Fruijtier-Pölloth C
Toxicology, 2005
Safety assessment on polyethylene glycols (PEGs) and their derivatives as used in cosmetic products.
Fruijtier-Pölloth C
Toxicology, 2005
Safety assessment on polyethylene glycols (PEGs) and their derivatives as used in cosmetic products.
Fruijtier-Pölloth C
Toxicology, 2005
Diethylene glycol
Health Canada
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
Methylene Glycol
Health Canada
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
Efficacy of an emollient containing diethylene glycol/dilinoleic acid copolymer for the treatment of dry skin and pruritus in patients with senile xer
Izumi R, Negi O, Suzuki T, Tominaga M, Kamo A et al.
Journal of cosmetic dermatology, 2017
Safety Evaluation of Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) Compounds for Cosmetic Use.
Jang HJ, Shin CY, Kim KB
Toxicological research, 2015
Safety Evaluation of Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) Compounds for Cosmetic Use.
Jang HJ, Shin CY, Kim KB
Toxicological research, 2015
Safety Evaluation of Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) Compounds for Cosmetic Use.
Jang HJ, Shin CY, Kim KB
Toxicological research, 2015
Safety Evaluation of Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) Compounds for Cosmetic Use.
Jang HJ, Shin CY, Kim KB
Toxicological research, 2015
Safety Evaluation of Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) Compounds for Cosmetic Use.
Jang HJ, Shin CY, Kim KB
Toxicological research, 2015
Safety Evaluation of Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) Compounds for Cosmetic Use.
Jang HJ, Shin CY, Kim KB
Toxicological research, 2015
Safety Evaluation of Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) Compounds for Cosmetic Use.
Jang HJ, Shin CY, Kim KB
Toxicological research, 2015
Safety Evaluation of Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) Compounds for Cosmetic Use.
Jang HJ, Shin CY, Kim KB
Toxicological research, 2015
Safety Evaluation of Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) Compounds for Cosmetic Use.
Jang HJ, Shin CY, Kim KB
Toxicological research, 2015
Safety Evaluation of Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) Compounds for Cosmetic Use.
Jang HJ, Shin CY, Kim KB
Toxicological research, 2015
Safety Evaluation of Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) Compounds for Cosmetic Use.
Jang HJ, Shin CY, Kim KB
Toxicological research, 2015
Permeation Enhancer in Microemulsions and Microemulsion-Based Gels: A Comparison of Diethylene Glycol Monoethyl Ether and Oleyl Alcohol.
Pandey S, Baki G
Gels (Basel, Switzerland), 2025
Pd/C-Catalyzed Efficient and Selective Synthesis of Glycolic Acid from Ethylene Glycol.
Schmoll A, Huo YW, Shao S, Wu XF
ChemSusChem, 2025
Immediate Hypersensitivity to Polyethylene Glycols and Polysorbates: More Common Than We Have Recognized.
Stone CA Jr, Liu Y, Relling MV, Krantz MS, Pratt AL et al.
The journal of allergy and clinical immunology. In practice, 2019
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR