Products with Butylene Glycol

Butylene Glycol is a lightweight humectant and solvent. It attracts moisture, helps dissolve other ingredients so they distribute evenly, and gives formulas a smooth, non-greasy feel, making creams and serums more pleasant to apply.

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A small molecule doing three jobs at once

Butylene glycol is a short-chain glycol that works as humectant, solvent and texture modifier within the same formula. It dissolves ingredients that would not otherwise go into water, draws a little moisture toward the surface, and thins a base just enough to spread evenly. That combination is why it sits high on so many ingredient lists without ever being the headline active.

Ninety-six products here contain it, including SkinMedica Neck Correct, the SkinCeuticals Duo for Skin Discoloration, InterFuse Treatment Cream FACE & NECK and RevitaLash Volume Enhancing Foam.

Is butylene glycol drying the way alcohol is?

No. Despite the name it is not a drying alcohol. Glycols behave as humectants, holding water rather than evaporating it away, and butylene glycol is generally better tolerated than propylene glycol among people who have reacted to glycols before.

How to shop at ELLEMES

If glycol sensitivity is a known issue for you, bring it up with our team. There are enough formats across these brands that we can usually find a comparable formula built on a different humectant.

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Featured Products with Butylene Glycol Reviews

SkinBetter Science Even Tone Correcting Serum
SkinBetter Science Even Tone Correcting Serum
4.8 (57 reviews) 4.8 out of 5 stars based on 57 reviews
$170.00
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Featured review

“Gives the glow needed. Love the results on my Mom and myself.”

— Josephine A.
Read all SkinBetter Science Even Tone Correcting Serum reviews →
EltaMD UV Sport Broad-Spectrum SPF 50
EltaMD UV Sport Broad-Spectrum SPF 50
4.9 (38 reviews) 4.9 out of 5 stars based on 38 reviews
$32.00
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“A Beautiful Finish! I just ordered my second bottle, in the larger size, as I dont ever want to run out of this. (Its that good.) I cant comment as to how this would look on...”

— Emily
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SkinBetter Science Mystro Active Balance Serum
SkinBetter Science Mystro Active Balance Serum
4.5 (31 reviews) 4.5 out of 5 stars based on 31 reviews
$115.00
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Featured review

“My skin is so much calmer and even since I purchased this, I'll try to never go without it.”

— Jamie C.
Read all SkinBetter Science Mystro Active Balance Serum reviews →