penetration enhancer
Propylene Glycol Evidence moderate · Tier 2 Irritation risk Moderate In products 1,338
Penetration enhancer and humectant that can cause both irritant and allergic contact dermatitis. Disrupts stratum corneum lipid packing at concentrations above 10%, increasing absorption of co-applied substances including allergens.
The research Propylene Glycol is a penetration enhancer backed by a moderate body of supporting evidence (evidence tier 2 of 4). We track 2 studies for it, 1 reporting a positive effect.
Read the research — 2 studies Hide the research
Propylene glycol sensitivity and recommendations for atopic patients: a clinical review Q85 Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology · 2008 · systematic review
Clinical review: propylene glycol causes both irritant contact dermatitis (at concentrations >10%) and type IV allergic contact dermatitis; atopic patients are at 2-3x higher risk of sensitization; at cosmetic concentrations (1-5%), irritant reactions are more common than allergic; recommends propylene glycol-free alternatives for eczema-prone patients
Contact Dermatitis · 2005 · observational · n=45138
IVDK multicentre analysis (n=45,138 patients patch-tested with 20% propylene glycol, 1992-2002): 2.3% positive, but reactions were largely weak, doubtful or irritant and many positives likely false-positive; the authors conclude propylene glycol is at most a very weak contact sensitizer with a mainly irritant reaction profile.
Products with Propylene Glycol In 1,338 products — most often serums (427), moisturizers (354), sunscreens (196), from $3.00 to $550.45 . Set up a profile to rank these for your skin. Click any product to learn more.
CategoryAll (24) Cleanser (2) Exfoliant (2) Eye Cream (1) Moisturizer (4) Serum (13) Sunscreen (2) Sort byBest match (concern) Price: low to high Value: price per ml Customer reviews Category (A–Z) List Grid
10 of 24 ELEMIS
Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads (14 Pads)
Serum – for Dryness, Dark spots & hyperpigmentation
$25.00
★★★★★ ★★★★★ 4.9 (2,715)
Ideal for
Strong Dryness Good Uneven texture Good Fine lines & wrinkles Relevant Dark spots & hyperpigmentation Not recommended for
Atopic Dermatitis / Eczema Rosacea
Caution
May aggravate: Psoriasis (Lactic Acid and Fragrance); Melasma (Fragrance); Perioral Dermatitis (Fragrance); Seborrheic Dermatitis (Shea Butter and Stearyl Alcohol)
ELEMIS
Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads (14 Pads)
Serum – for Dryness, Dark spots & hyperpigmentation
$25.00
★★★★★ ★★★★★ 4.9 (2,715)
Ideal for
Strong Dryness Good Uneven texture Good Fine lines & wrinkles Relevant Dark spots & hyperpigmentation Not recommended for
Atopic Dermatitis / Eczema Rosacea
Caution
May aggravate: Psoriasis (Lactic Acid and Fragrance); Melasma (Fragrance); Perioral Dermatitis (Fragrance); Seborrheic Dermatitis (Shea Butter and Stearyl Alcohol)
Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads (14 Pads) is a exfoliant by ELEMIS. Key ingredients include Butylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Lactic Acid.
Product Ingredients (15) Irritation risk:
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Set up your skin profile Neutrogena
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Invisible Cream Sunscreen Hydration SPF50
Sunscreen
$21.32
★★★★★ ★★★★★ 4.8 (791)
Ideal for
Strong Dryness Strong Redness & sensitivity Relevant Dark circles Relevant Dark spots & hyperpigmentation Caution
May aggravate: Seborrheic Dermatitis (Glyceryl Stearate and Polysorbate 60); Atopic Dermatitis / Eczema (Propylene Glycol); Rosacea (Propylene Glycol)
Neutrogena
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Invisible Cream Sunscreen Hydration SPF50
Sunscreen
$21.32
★★★★★ ★★★★★ 4.8 (791)
Ideal for
Strong Dryness Strong Redness & sensitivity Relevant Dark circles Relevant Dark spots & hyperpigmentation Caution
May aggravate: Seborrheic Dermatitis (Glyceryl Stearate and Polysorbate 60); Atopic Dermatitis / Eczema (Propylene Glycol); Rosacea (Propylene Glycol)
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Invisible Cream Sunscreen Hydration SPF50 is a sunscreen by Neutrogena. Key ingredients include Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, DHHB.
Product Ingredients (23) Irritation risk:
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Set up your skin profile SkinCeuticals
SkinCeuticals Micro-Exfoliating Scrub (5 fl. oz.)
Exfoliant
$40.00147.9ml · $0.27/ml
★★★★★ ★★★★★ 4.8 (1,696)
Ideal for
Good Dryness Low Uneven texture Not recommended for
Atopic Dermatitis / Eczema Perioral Dermatitis
Caution
May aggravate: Rosacea (Propylene Glycol); Psoriasis (Sodium Laureth Sulfate)
SkinCeuticals
SkinCeuticals Micro-Exfoliating Scrub (5 fl. oz.)
Exfoliant
$40.00147.9ml · $0.27/ml
★★★★★ ★★★★★ 4.8 (1,696)
Ideal for
Good Dryness Low Uneven texture Not recommended for
Atopic Dermatitis / Eczema Perioral Dermatitis
Caution
May aggravate: Rosacea (Propylene Glycol); Psoriasis (Sodium Laureth Sulfate)
SkinCeuticals Micro-Exfoliating Scrub (5 fl. oz.) is a exfoliant by SkinCeuticals. Key ingredients include Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine.
Product Ingredients (11) Irritation risk:
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Set up your skin profile ELEMIS
Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash (200ml)
Cleanser – for Dryness
$57.00200ml · $0.28/ml
★★★★★ ★★★★★ 4.8 (1,593)
Ideal for
Good Dryness Low Uneven texture Not recommended for
Atopic Dermatitis / Eczema Rosacea
Caution
May aggravate: Perioral Dermatitis (Fragrance); Psoriasis (Fragrance); Melasma (Fragrance); Seborrheic Dermatitis (Glyceryl Stearate, Shea Butter and Stearyl Alcohol)
ELEMIS
Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash (200ml)
Cleanser – for Dryness
$57.00200ml · $0.28/ml
★★★★★ ★★★★★ 4.8 (1,593)
Ideal for
Good Dryness Low Uneven texture Not recommended for
Atopic Dermatitis / Eczema Rosacea
Caution
May aggravate: Perioral Dermatitis (Fragrance); Psoriasis (Fragrance); Melasma (Fragrance); Seborrheic Dermatitis (Glyceryl Stearate, Shea Butter and Stearyl Alcohol)
Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash (200ml) is a water cleanser by ELEMIS. Key ingredients include Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine.
Product Ingredients (20) Irritation risk:
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Set up your skin profile Wella Professionals Care
Wella Professionals Care Oil Reflections Luminous Reboost Mask 150ml
Serum
$29.97150ml · $0.20/ml
★★★★★ ★★★★★ 4.8 (1,666)
Ideal for
Good Dryness Good Redness & sensitivity Caution
May aggravate: Seborrheic Dermatitis (Stearyl Alcohol and Cetyl Alcohol); Atopic Dermatitis / Eczema (Propylene Glycol); Rosacea (Propylene Glycol and Linalool)
Wella Professionals Care
Wella Professionals Care Oil Reflections Luminous Reboost Mask 150ml
Serum
$29.97150ml · $0.20/ml
★★★★★ ★★★★★ 4.8 (1,666)
Ideal for
Good Dryness Good Redness & sensitivity Caution
May aggravate: Seborrheic Dermatitis (Stearyl Alcohol and Cetyl Alcohol); Atopic Dermatitis / Eczema (Propylene Glycol); Rosacea (Propylene Glycol and Linalool)
Wella Professionals Care Oil Reflections Luminous Reboost Mask 150ml is a antioxidant serum by Wella Professionals Care. Key ingredients include Stearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Panthenol.
Product Ingredients (17) Irritation risk:
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Set up your skin profile Lancaster
Lancaster Sun Perfect Sun Illuminating Cream SPF 50 50ml
Sunscreen
$40.6450ml · $0.81/ml
★★★★★ ★★★★★ 4.8 (1,438)
Ideal for
Strong Dryness Good Dark spots & hyperpigmentation Good Uneven texture Good Redness & sensitivity Not recommended for
Atopic Dermatitis / Eczema Rosacea Psoriasis Melasma
Lancaster
Lancaster Sun Perfect Sun Illuminating Cream SPF 50 50ml
Sunscreen
$40.6450ml · $0.81/ml
★★★★★ ★★★★★ 4.8 (1,438)
Ideal for
Strong Dryness Good Dark spots & hyperpigmentation Good Uneven texture Good Redness & sensitivity Not recommended for
Atopic Dermatitis / Eczema Rosacea Psoriasis Melasma
Lancaster Sun Perfect Sun Illuminating Cream SPF 50 50ml is a sunscreen by Lancaster. Key ingredients include Avobenzone, Alcohol Denat, Bemotrizinol.
Product Ingredients (35) Irritation risk:
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Set up your skin profile Kérastase
Kérastase Chroma Absolu Soin Acide Chroma Gloss 210ml
Serum
$64.77210ml · $0.31/ml
★★★★★ ★★★★★ 4.8 (764)
Ideal for
Relevant Redness & sensitivity Relevant Fine lines & wrinkles Low Dryness Low Acne & breakouts Not recommended for
Atopic Dermatitis / Eczema Rosacea Psoriasis Melasma
Kérastase
Kérastase Chroma Absolu Soin Acide Chroma Gloss 210ml
Serum
$64.77210ml · $0.31/ml
★★★★★ ★★★★★ 4.8 (764)
Ideal for
Relevant Redness & sensitivity Relevant Fine lines & wrinkles Low Dryness Low Acne & breakouts Not recommended for
Atopic Dermatitis / Eczema Rosacea Psoriasis Melasma
Kérastase Chroma Absolu Soin Acide Chroma Gloss 210ml is a antioxidant serum by Kérastase. Key ingredients include Alcohol Denat, Propylene Glycol, Behentrimonium Methosulfate.
Product Ingredients (8) Irritation risk:
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Set up your skin profile BLEACH LONDON
BLEACH LONDON Mini Reincarnation Mask 50ml
Serum
$5.0850ml · $0.10/ml
★★★★★ ★★★★★ 4.8 (536)
Ideal for
Good Dryness Good Uneven texture Relevant Fine lines & wrinkles Relevant Dark spots & hyperpigmentation Not recommended for
Atopic Dermatitis / Eczema Rosacea
Caution
May aggravate: Seborrheic Dermatitis (Cetearyl Alcohol); Psoriasis (Lactic Acid and Fragrance); Melasma (Fragrance); Perioral Dermatitis (Fragrance)
BLEACH LONDON
BLEACH LONDON Mini Reincarnation Mask 50ml
Serum
$5.0850ml · $0.10/ml
★★★★★ ★★★★★ 4.8 (536)
Ideal for
Good Dryness Good Uneven texture Relevant Fine lines & wrinkles Relevant Dark spots & hyperpigmentation Not recommended for
Atopic Dermatitis / Eczema Rosacea
Caution
May aggravate: Seborrheic Dermatitis (Cetearyl Alcohol); Psoriasis (Lactic Acid and Fragrance); Melasma (Fragrance); Perioral Dermatitis (Fragrance)
BLEACH LONDON Mini Reincarnation Mask 50ml is a exfoliant by BLEACH LONDON. Key ingredients include Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin.
Product Ingredients (13) Irritation risk:
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Set up your skin profile Lancôme Advanced Génifique Youth Activating Serum 100ml is a antioxidant serum by Lancôme. Key ingredients include Glycerin, Alcohol Denat, Dimethicone.
Product Ingredients (16) Irritation risk:
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Set up your skin profile L'Oréal Paris
L'Oréal Paris Cell Renew Midnight Serum 30ml
Serum
$40.6330ml · $1.35/ml
★★★★★ ★★★★★ 4.7 (1,600)
Ideal for
Strong Fine lines & wrinkles Good Dryness Relevant Redness & sensitivity Low Uneven texture Not recommended for
Atopic Dermatitis / Eczema Rosacea Psoriasis Melasma
L'Oréal Paris
L'Oréal Paris Cell Renew Midnight Serum 30ml
Serum
$40.6330ml · $1.35/ml
★★★★★ ★★★★★ 4.7 (1,600)
Ideal for
Strong Fine lines & wrinkles Good Dryness Relevant Redness & sensitivity Low Uneven texture Not recommended for
Atopic Dermatitis / Eczema Rosacea Psoriasis Melasma
L'Oréal Paris Cell Renew Midnight Serum 30ml is a peptide serum by L'Oréal Paris. Key ingredients include Dimethicone, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat.
Product Ingredients (22) Irritation risk:
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Set up your skin profile Show next 10
Educational information, not medical advice. Study findings summarise the cited research and may not reflect every formulation.
