Propyl Alcohol
AKA “1-propanol, propanol, Propan-1-ol, n-propanol, 71-23-8, n-Propyl alcohol, ethylcarbinol, optal, osmosol extra”
Ingredient
Ingredient Facts
Propyl alcohol
AKA: 1-propanol, Propanol, Propan-1-ol, N-propanol, 71-23-8, N-Propyl alcohol, Ethylcarbinol, Optal, Osmosol extra
Ingredient · Antifoaming · EWG: 2
Synthetic
Solvent
Clean
N-propanol appears as a clear colorless liquid with a sharp musty odor like rubbing alcohol. Flash point 53-77 °F. Autoignites at 700 °F. Vapors are heavier than air and mildly irritate the eyes, nose, and throat. Density approximately 6.5 lb / gal. Used in making cosmetics, skin and hair preparations, pharmaceuticals, perfumes, lacquer formulations, dye solutions, antifreezes, rubbing alcohols, soaps, window cleaners, acetone and other chemicals and products.
Solubility Miscible (NIOSH, 2024)
Formula
C3H8O
Mol. Weight
60.10
CAS #
71-23-8
Form
Liquid
State
N-propanol appears as a clear colorless liquid with a sharp musty odor like rubbing alcohol. Flash point 53-77 °F. Autoignites at 700 °F. Vapors are heavier than air and mildly irritate the eyes, nose
See origin →
Functions
Antifoaming
Solvent
Dissolves other ingredients so they distribute evenly in the formula. Often the invisible "base" everything else is mixed into.
Anti-Inflammatory
Moisturizing
Boosts Collagen
Reduces foam
Dissolves other ingredients
Traditional Use
Developed in the early 20th century as a synthetic alcohol. Used in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals as a preservative and solvent; became particularly common in skincare formulations from the 1950s onward as an alternative to ethanol.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Caution
Final amended report on safety assessment on aminomethyl propanol and aminomethyl propanediol.
Burnett CL, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Klaassen CD, Marks JG Jr et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2009
Extended Re-review Summary: Safety Assessment of Diisopropanolamine, Triisopropanolamine, Isopropanolamine, and Mixed Isopropanolamines
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Final Amended Report on the Safety Assessment of Aminomethyl Propanol and Aminomethyl Propanediol
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Aminomethylpropanol and Aminomethylpropanediol
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Diisopropanolamine, Triisopropanolamine, Isopropanolamine, and Mixed Isopropanolamine
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Methoxyisopropanol and Methoxyisopropyl Acetate as Used in Cosmetics
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Aminomethyl Propanol
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Isopropanolamine
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Isopropyl Alcohol
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Methoxyisopropanol
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Propyl Alcohol
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Triisopropanolamine
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Final report on the safety assessment of methoxyisopropanol and methoxyisopropyl acetate as used in cosmetics.
Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2008
2-Methyl-1-Phenyl-2-Propanol
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Aminomethyl Propanol
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Diisopropanolamine
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Isopropanolamine
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Isopropyl Alcohol
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Mixed Isopropanolamine
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Mixed Isopropanolamines
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Phenylpropanol
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Propyl Alcohol
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Triisopropanolamine
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
2-Methoxypropanol
Health Canada
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
Methoxyisopropanol
Health Canada
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
β-elemene Isopropanolamine Derivative LXX-8250 Induces Apoptosis Through Impairing Autophagic Flux via PFKFB4 Repression in Melanoma Cells.
Jalal S, Zhang T, Deng J, Wang J, Xu T et al.
Frontiers in pharmacology, 2022
Antimicrobial activity of Butyl acetate, Ethyl acetate and Isopropyl alcohol on undesirable microorganisms in cosmetic products.
Lens C, Malet G, Cupferman S
International journal of cosmetic science, 2016
Pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of diisopropanolamine (DIPA) in rats following intravenous or dermal application.
Saghir SA, Frantz SW, Spence MW, Nolan RJ, Lowe ER et al.
Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association, 2007
Fragrance material review on 2,2-dimethyl-3-phenylpropanol.
Scognamiglio J, Jones L, Letizia CS, Api AM
Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association, 2012
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR