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Welcome to From Molecule to Mist! This site is where I dive into the Science behind the ingredients used in MAC Fix+ and attempt to reformualte
Butylene glycol is a versatile ingredient that shows up in a huge number of cosmetic formulations. At its core, it’s a clear, colorless liquid that serves multiple functions, which is part of the reason formulators love it so much. Chemically, it’s a diol—meaning it has two alcohol groups—and this gives it solubility in both water and some oils, making it a great “bridge” ingredient.
One of its most important roles is as a humectant. Like glycerin, it has the ability to attract water and help hold it in the skin. This translates to hydration and a plumper, softer appearance when used in leave-on products like serums or moisturizers. However, unlike glycerin, it tends to feel lighter and less sticky, which makes it a great option when formulating for people who prefer a smoother skin finish.
Beyond hydration, butylene glycol also helps improve the texture and stability of a formula. It can reduce the viscosity of a solution, making it easier to spread, and it enhances the penetration of other active ingredients, essentially acting as a delivery aid. It’s also known to have mild preservative-boosting properties, since it can limit the growth of certain microorganisms, though it’s not a preservative by itself.
From a stability perspective, it performs well across a wide pH range and is compatible with most actives. It doesn’t have a strong odor or color, which helps maintain the sensory profile of a formulation.
In practical use, formulators often add butylene glycol at concentrations between 2%–10% in water-based systems, though it can be used higher depending on the purpose. It dissolves easily, so it’s typically added directly to the water phase without heating.
Overall, butylene glycol 99% is one of those behind-the-scenes workhorses: it hydrates, stabilizes, and improves feel, all while boosting the performance of other ingredients. While it may not be a flashy botanical extract or a trendy “hero” ingredient, it’s one of those essentials that makes a formula reliable and enjoyable to use.
Property Name Property Value Reference
Property Name Property Value Reference
| Molecular Weight 90.12 g/mol | PubChem 2.2 (release 2025.04.14)
| XLogP3-AA –0.4 | XLogP3 3.0 (release 2025.04.14)
| Hydrogen Bond Donor Count 2 | Cactvs 3.4.8.18 (release 2025.04.14)
| Hydrogen Bond Acceptor Count 2 | Cactvs 3.4.8.18 (release 2025.04.14)
| Rotatable Bond Count 2 | Cactvs 3.4.8.18 (release 2025.04.14)
| Exact Mass 90.068079557 Da | PubChem 2.2 (release 2025.04.14)
| Monoisotopic Mass 90.068079557 Da | PubChem 2.2 (release 2025.04.14)
| Topological Polar Surface Area 40.5 Ų | Cactvs 3.4.8.18 (release 2025.04.14)
| Heavy Atom Count 6 | PubChem
| Formal Charge 0 | PubChem
| Complexity 28.7 | Cactvs 3.4.8.18 (release 2025.04.14)
| Isotope Atom Count 0 | PubChem
| Defined Atom Stereocenter Count 0 | PubChem
| Undefined Atom Stereocenter Count 1 | PubChem
| Defined Bond Stereocenter Count 0 | PubChem
| Undefined Bond Stereocenter Count 0 | PubChem
| Covalently-Bonded Unit Count 1 | PubChem
| Compound Is Canonicalized Yes | PubChem (release 2025.04.14)
Ingredient Profile: 1,3-Butanediol Basic Information
PubChem CID: 7896
Molecular Formula: C₄H₁₀O₂
Molecular Weight: 90.12 g/mol
Synonyms: 1,3-Butylene glycol, Butane-1,3-diol, Butylene glycol
CAS No.: 107-88-0
Structure:
1,3-Butanediol is a secondary alcohol with the chemical structure CH₃–CHOH–CH₂–CH₂OH. It belongs to the glycol family, characterized by having two hydroxyl (–OH) groups.
Saftey:
Flammability: 1,3-Butanediol is flammable and should be handled with care. Safety Guidance: A Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary (LCSS) datasheet is available for handling guidance to ensure safe use and storage.
Physical Description:
1,3-Butanediol is a clear, viscous, and hygroscopic liquid. As one of the four stable isomers of butanediol, it is naturally found in small amounts in pepper (Capsicum annuum). It is valued for its multifunctional properties in various industries.
Uses in Cosmetics
1,3-Butanediol is widely used in cosmetics due to its versatile properties:
Humectant: It helps to draw moisture into the skin, maintaining hydration.
Solvent & Co-Solvent: It can dissolve both water-based and some oil-based actives, enhancing formulation versatility.
Texture Enhancer: Provides a smooth, cushiony slip without a sticky feel. Stabilizer: Its hygroscopic nature helps maintain formula stability and prevents drying out.
Penetration Booster: Enhances the absorption of other active ingredients into the skin.
Other uses
Beyond cosmetics, 1,3-Butanediol has applications in various industries:
Food Industry: Used as a solvent for flavoring agents.
Polymer Industry: Acts as a co-monomer in certain polyurethanes and polyester resins. Biological/Medical Research: Investigated for its potential hypoglycemic eects, impacting blood sugar regulation.
Data Records
Created: 2005-03-26
Modified: 2023-08-23
Sources: Data compiled from PubChem, ChEBI, T3DB, HMDB, HSDB
1,3-Butanediol is a safe, stable, and multifunctional humectant and solvent in skincare. It combines the water-binding power of glycerin with a smoother feel and lower stickiness. Its strong safety profile and versatile functionality make it an essential ingredient in modern toners, mists, and serums.
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