What Is Ppg-75-Peg-300 Hexylene Glycol?
Ppg-75-Peg-300 Hexylene Glycol is a synthetic liquid derived from 2-methyl-2,4-pentanediol that has been reacted with two types of small linking units called ethylene oxide and propylene oxide. The numbers in its name show the average amount of each unit added, giving the molecule both water-loving and oil-loving parts. This balance lets it mix oily debris with water so it can be rinsed away.
The parent compound, hexylene glycol, has been used for decades in industrial cleaners and paints because it dissolves stubborn greases. Chemists later discovered that adding ethylene oxide and propylene oxide chains makes the molecule milder and more suitable for skin-contact products. As regulations tightened in the 1980s and 1990s, manufacturers refined the process, ensuring the final ingredient meets cosmetic-grade purity standards.
Production starts with hexylene glycol sourced from petrochemical feedstocks. It is placed in a reactor where ethylene oxide is added under controlled heat and pressure, then propylene oxide is introduced. Catalysts guide the reaction so the average chain lengths reach roughly 300 ethylene oxide units and 75 propylene oxide units. The mixture is purified, stripped of residual gases and filtered before being packed for cosmetic labs.
Thanks to its gentle yet effective cleansing action, Ppg-75-Peg-300 Hexylene Glycol appears in facial washes, micellar waters, peel-off masks, sheet masks, clarifying toners, makeup removers, lightweight moisturizers and certain anti-aging serums that need to stay clear and non-greasy.
Ppg-75-Peg-300 Hexylene Glycol’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses
This multitasking liquid mainly serves one purpose in beauty formulas: cleansing. Its dual water-friendly and oil-friendly structure lifts makeup, sunscreen particles, excess sebum and daily grime so they can be rinsed or wiped away without leaving a heavy residue. Because it is less harsh than many traditional surfactants, it helps products clean effectively while still feeling gentle on most skin types.
Who Can Use Ppg-75-Peg-300 Hexylene Glycol
This ingredient works for most skin types, including oily, combination, normal and even many dry or sensitive skins because it cleans without stripping the natural moisture barrier. People with very reactive or highly damaged skin might still prefer a simpler formula just in case, but the risk of irritation from this specific ingredient is low.
Ppg-75-Peg-300 Hexylene Glycol is made entirely through synthetic chemistry so it contains no animal-derived material. That makes it suitable for vegans and vegetarians as long as the finished product has not been tested on animals by the brand.
Current safety data show no special warnings for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. It is considered a low-risk cleansing agent, yet this is not medical advice; anyone who is expecting or nursing should run new skincare products past a qualified healthcare professional to be safe.
The ingredient does not cause photosensitivity, so it will not make skin more prone to sunburn. It is also fragrance free and usually pairs well with other active ingredients.
Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions
Reactions to topical Ppg-75-Peg-300 Hexylene Glycol differ from person to person. The following list covers potential issues, but they are uncommon when the ingredient is used at typical cosmetic levels and formulated correctly.
- Mild stinging or tingling especially on very sensitive or broken skin
- Temporary redness if the product is left on the skin for an extended period
- Dryness or tightness in rare cases where high concentrations are used without added moisturizers
- Allergic contact dermatitis which may appear as itching, swelling or small bumps
- Eye irritation if the product accidentally gets into the eyes during use
If any of these effects occur stop using the product and seek advice from a healthcare professional.
Comedogenic Rating
Rating: 1/5 – Ppg-75-Peg-300 Hexylene Glycol is a highly water-soluble cleansing agent that rinses away completely rather than sitting on the skin or mixing with sebum, which keeps the chance of pore blockage very low. It lacks heavy oily tails that typically stir up congestion, so it is considered practically non-comedogenic.
Suitable for acne-prone and breakout-prone skin types.
No published data suggest that it worsens blackheads or whiteheads, and formulators often choose it precisely because it leaves behind little to no residue.
Summary
Ppg-75-Peg-300 Hexylene Glycol is a synthetic cleanser that works by surrounding oils, makeup particles and everyday grime with its water-loving and oil-loving parts so they can be swept away during rinsing or wiping. This makes it popular in clear facial washes, micellar waters and lightweight leave-on products where a non-greasy feel matters, though it is still less famous than big-name surfactants like sodium laureth sulfate.
Current studies and decades of cosmetic use show it has a low irritation profile and an almost nonexistent comedogenic risk, making it broadly safe for most skin types, including sensitive and acne-prone. As with any new skincare ingredient, perform a quick patch test when trying a product that contains it to confirm personal compatibility.