Ethylhexylglycerin

ETH-ul-HEX-ul-GLIH-sir-in

Conditioning Agent, Preservative 9/10 Safety CG ApprovedClean Semi-synthetic Vegan

What Is Ethylhexylglycerin?

Ethylhexylglycerin is a glycerin derivative that functions as a mild preservative booster, skin conditioning agent, and deodorant active. It is commonly paired with phenoxyethanol to enhance its antimicrobial effectiveness. It is derived from vegetable glycerin and is considered one of the gentlest preservative-boosting ingredients available.

Source: Vegetable glycerin (chemically modified)

Origin: Semi-synthetic

Also known as: Octoxyglycerin, Sensiva SC50

What Does Ethylhexylglycerin Do to Your Hair?

Ethylhexylglycerin boosts the effectiveness of primary preservatives like phenoxyethanol by destabilizing the cell membranes of microorganisms. On its own, it provides mild antimicrobial action and skin/scalp conditioning. It also improves the feel and spreadability of cosmetic formulations, contributing to a more elegant product texture.

Best For

All hair types (functional ingredient, not hair-type specific)

Not Recommended For

Not known to be problematic for any hair type

Concentration Matters

0.1-1%

Hair Type Compatibility

1A Straight Fine
1B Straight Medium
1C Straight Coarse
2A Wavy Fine
2B Wavy Medium
2C Wavy Coarse
3A Curly Loose
3B Curly Tight
3C Curly Corkscrew
4A Coily S-Shaped
4B Coily Z-Shaped
4C Coily Tight

Method Compatibility

Curly Girl (CG) Method: Approved
CG Approved

Safety & Regulation

9/10
AvoidCautionSafe

Very safe. Mild and well-tolerated. Non-irritating at typical use concentrations. CIR panel considers safe at concentrations up to 0.5% as a preservative booster and up to 1% as a conditioning agent. No sensitization concerns.

FDA Status: Generally Recognized As Safe

FDA permits use in cosmetics. CIR panel considers safe at typical use concentrations.

EWG Score: 1/10

HairAide Verdict

Ethylhexylglycerin is a smart, gentle ingredient that helps keep your products safe from microbial contamination. HairAide appreciates it as a component of the modern paraben-free preservative systems that have become industry standard. It is safe, effective, and contributes positively to product texture.

Products That Contain Ethylhexylglycerin

Shampoos, conditioners, leave-ins, styling products, serums, natural/clean beauty products

Alternatives to Ethylhexylglycerin

If you want to avoid Ethylhexylglycerin, look for products with these ingredients instead:

Caprylyl Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Glyceryl Caprylate

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ethylhexylglycerin safe for hair?

Yes, Ethylhexylglycerin has a safety rating of 9/10 and is generally considered safe for use in hair products. Very safe. Mild and well-tolerated. Non-irritating at typical use concentrations. CIR panel considers safe at concentrations up to 0.5% as a preservative booster and up to 1% as a conditioning agent. No sensitization concerns.

Is Ethylhexylglycerin bad for curly hair?

Ethylhexylglycerin is CG-method approved and is generally considered safe for curly hair.

Is Ethylhexylglycerin CG-method approved?

Yes, Ethylhexylglycerin is approved for the Curly Girl method.

What can I use instead of Ethylhexylglycerin?

Some alternatives to Ethylhexylglycerin include: Caprylyl Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Glyceryl Caprylate

Get Our Free Ingredient Decoder Cheat Sheet

Take the guesswork out of reading product labels. Our printable cheat sheet helps you decode ingredients while you shop.

Check What's In Your Products

Use our free Hair Product Label Analyzer to check any product's ingredient list instantly.

Analyze My Product →