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.

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

SkinMedica Age Defense Retinol Complex 0.5
SkinMedica Age Defense Retinol Complex 0.5
4.7 (3 reviews) 4.7 out of 5 stars based on 3 reviews
$80.00
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Read all SkinMedica Age Defense Retinol Complex 0.5 reviews →
SkinMedica Even and Correct Advanced Brightening Treatment
SkinMedica Even & Correct Advanced Brightening Treatment
4.6 (8 reviews) 4.6 out of 5 stars based on 8 reviews
$178.00
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Featured review

“I used this product for about 3 weeks consistently and didn't see too much of a change. Its supposed to brighten and even out skin tone. Which I didn't see, it did give a Lil bit...”

— Jaclyn M.
Read all SkinMedica Even & Correct Advanced Brightening Treatment reviews →