Propylene Glycol Butyl Ether
AKA “n-Butoxy-2-propanol, RefChem:75241, 1-Butoxy-2-propanol, 1-Butoxypropan-2-ol, 5131-66-8, 2-PROPANOL, 1-BUTOXY-, n-Butoxypropanol, 2-Hydroxy-3-butoxypropane, Propasol solvent B, 1, 2-Propylene glycol 1-monobutyl ether
Humectant
Ingredient Facts
Propylene glycol butyl ether
AKA: N-Butoxy-2-propanol, RefChem:75241, 1-Butoxy-2-propanol, 1-Butoxypropan-2-ol, 5131-66-8, 2-PROPANOL, 1-BUTOXY-, N-Butoxypropanol, 2-Hydroxy-3-butoxypropane, Propasol solvent B, 1, 2-Propylene glycol 1-monobutyl ether
Humectant · Humectant · EWG: 2
Synthetic
Humectant
Solvent
Clean
2-Propanol, 1-butoxy-; 1-butoxypropan-2-ol
Solubility Solubility in water, g/100ml: 6 (moderate)
Formula
C7H16O2
Mol. Weight
132.20
CAS #
5131-66-8
Form
Powder
State
Liquid; NKRA
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.
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
Developed in the mid-20th century as a synthetic solvent. Adopted in cosmetics from the 1970s onward as a humectant and solvent in skincare formulations, providing better penetration of active ingredients than traditional glycerin.
Skin Types
all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Caution
EWG
2
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Caution
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Regulatory Status
USApermitted
EUrestricted
JAPANrestricted
CANADArestricted
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR