Butylene Glycol Green

Humectant
Butylene Glycol Green is a humectant that leaves the skin feeling exceptionally soft and nourished - perfect for dry skin. Furthermore, it boosts the preservative system.

INCI
Butylene Glycol

Natural cosmetic compliant
100% natural origin, but not certified natural cosmetic

Item number

Characteristics

Keeps the skin hydrated, acts as a co-preservative, and provides an excellent base for plant extracts and active ingredients!

Butylene glycol (BG) is an excellent humectant and has long been used in cosmetics as a moisturizing ingredient in emulsions and serums, as well as an extraction solvent for plant extracts and a carrier for active ingredients. However, it is traditionally manufactured synthetically and is usually of petrochemical origin. Butylene Glycol Green is molecularly identical to synthetic BG but is produced from plant-based sugars via fermentation.

From a chemical perspective, glycols belong to the alcohol family and are versatile in their application. Butylene Glycol Green is not only a humectant, but also a good solvent. It is highly soluble in water, but also exhibits slight lipophilic (oil-soluble) properties and is therefore slightly surface-active. Because of this peculiarity, it helps to support the preservative system in aqueous formulations, improve the dissolution of insoluble substances, and enhance application behavior. However, it can also make emulsions slightly thinner or, at higher concentrations, destabilize them. Nevertheless, it is not as strongly destabilizing or thinning as pentylene glycol, which makes it easier to use in emulsions.

In contrast to similar humectants, butylene glycol is chemically situated between propanediol and pentylene glycol. It therefore feels slightly richer than propanediol, but is not quite as sticky as pentylene glycol. It is therefore the optimal choice for formulations intended to leave the skin feeling particularly soft and nourished. Due to this characteristic, BG is traditionally used in Asian Skin Care, where a moist, supple skin feel is particularly valued.

We have summarized the chemical properties of humectants clearly here!

Butylene glycol is often used as an extraction agent for plants because its lipophilic (fat-loving) and hydrophilic (water-loving) properties allow it to dissolve a multitude of different plant ingredients. Moreover, the extract obtained in this way is "self-preserved" and highly bioavailable, as it increases the skin's absorption of active ingredients.

Tip: Butylene glycol does not have as strong a preserving or boosting effect as pentylene glycol, but it can be used in higher concentrations because, conversely, it also has a lower irritation potential for the skin. We recommend using it, for example, with Preblend Aqua to achieve full preservation. It is also useful in combination with other preservative substances.-

Usage concentration and processing

• 2 - 10% in emulsions, serums, and tonics
• 3 - 5% as a preservative booster (e.g., with Preblend Aqua)

Special features at a glance

• Excellent humectant
  
• Provides a soft, nourished, and moist skin feel
• Excellent solvent and extraction agent for plant extracts
• Boosts the preservative system
• Facilitates the penetration of active ingredients into the skin
• Acts as a superfatting agent in surfactant formulations (shower gel, facial foam, etc.)
• Facilitates emulsion formation - but can also impair stability (at higher dosages)!
• Can be combined with glycerin, propanediol, and pentylene glycol