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Why Propylene Glycol Appears in Safe, Modern Skincare (And Why It’s Not “Antifreeze”)

At Lavender & Crate, ingredient transparency is part of our DNA. Every formula is intentionally crafted, and every component has a purpose — including the ones that sometimes raise questions, like propylene glycol.

If you’ve ever scanned an ingredient list and wondered, “Why is propylene glycol in this?” or “Isn’t that antifreeze?” — you’re not alone. It’s one of the most misunderstood ingredients in skincare, so let’s clear the fog with facts, not fear.

What Propylene Glycol Actually Is

Propylene glycol is a clear, odorless liquid used widely in skincare, haircare, and even pharmaceuticals. In cosmetics, it serves as:

  • a solvent (helps dissolve ingredients)
  • a carrier (keeps active ingredients evenly distributed)
  • a stabilizer (helps formulas stay safe and effective)

In our products, propylene glycol appears only as part of the preservative system — the component that protects water‑based formulas from mold, yeast, and bacteria.

Cosmetic‑Grade vs. Industrial‑Grade: Not the Same Thing

Here’s where the confusion comes in.

Propylene glycol used in cosmetics is:

  • cosmetic‑grade / USP‑grade
  • high‑purity
  • skin‑safe
  • regulated for personal care use

Propylene glycol used in automotive antifreeze is:

  • industrial‑grade
  • mixed with dyes, corrosion inhibitors, and other additives
  • not suitable for skincare
  • not the same purity or purpose

The two are not interchangeable, even though they share a similar name. It’s like comparing culinary salt to road salt — same word, completely different product.

Why It’s in Lavender & Crate Formulas

Because the preservative needs a safe, stable carrier to keep its active ingredients dissolved and effective. Cosmetic‑grade propylene glycol does exactly that.

It ensures your product stays:

  • safe
  • stable
  • free from harmful microbes
  • effective over its full shelf life

Without a preservative system, any water‑based product can grow bacteria, mold, or yeast — even if it looks and smells perfectly fine.

How Much Propylene Glycol Is Actually in a Bottle of Lotion?

To put things into perspective, here’s a real example from one of our formulas.

An 8 oz bottle of lotion contains 0.5% preservative, which equals:

  • 0.04 oz of preservative total
  • Of that, less than 60% is propylene glycol
  • That works out to 0.024 oz, or just 0.7 ml of propylene glycol in the entire bottle

That’s about the size of a single raindrop, used only as the carrier that keeps the preservative dissolved and effective. It isn’t there as an active ingredient — it simply helps keep the product safe.

Safety Matters (and So Does Science)

Propylene glycol has been evaluated by:

  • the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
  • Health Canada
  • the FDA
  • the EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety

All agree it is safe at the levels used in personal care products.

As a retired nurse and former chemist, I choose ingredients based on evidence, safety, and performance — not trends or fear‑based marketing. If it’s in a Lavender & Crate formula, it’s there for a reason.

The Bottom Line

Propylene glycol in skincare is:

  • not antifreeze
  • not harmful at cosmetic levels
  • not the industrial chemical people worry about
  • simply a carrier that helps the preservative do its job

And the preservative’s job is simple: keep your product safe, fresh, and free from contamination.

If you ever have questions about ingredients, I’m always happy to talk through them — transparency is part of the craft.

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