Let's Talk About Propylene Glycol

[poppi]

I was looking at the ingredients list on my new VDH Luxury Shave Soap and noticed the first ingredient listed is propylene glycol. Got me to thinking of where I've seen this listed before.

Oh yeah, antifreeze, brake fluid, hydralic fluid and the like.

Can this product be safe to use in a shave soap? I mean, we spread this all over our face/neck. Does it absorb into our bodies? If so, what are the ramification of this? Or did VDH make a big booboo?

Inquiring minds what to know.

[ackvil]

Many soaps, skin conditioners, and other products use propylene glycol. It has been found to be safe by the FDA if used in limited quantities. However, some individuals show an allergic reaction to it.

[Price]

Propylene glycol is something called a "humectant", which means it serves to maintain moisture. It is a fairly common ingredient in shampoos & beauty products. I am sure that slathering Prestone on your face after a shave is not the brightest idea, but at the concentration used in your shave soap it shouldn't be anything to worry about.

[BeeSeeDub]

While propylene glycol is used in some antifreeze, ethylene glycol is the really dangerous stuff you commonly hear about when people or animals are poisioned.

[BlackBard]

Propylene glycol is something called a "humectant", which means it serves to maintain moisture. It is a fairly common ingredient in shampoos & beauty products. I am sure that slathering Prestone on your face after a shave is not the brightest idea, but at the concentration used in your shave soap it shouldn't be anything to worry about.

Besides, it is especially good for you when used for winter shaving in cold climes.

[Clovis Man]

Propylene glycol is also commonly used in humidifiers for cigar humidors.

[jkingrph]

I was looking at the ingredients list on my new VDH Luxury Shave Soap and noticed the first ingredient listed is propylene glycol. Got me to thinking of where I've seen this listed before.

Oh yeah, antifreeze, brake fluid, hydralic fluid and the like.

Can this product be safe to use in a shave soap? I mean, we spread this all over our face/neck. Does it absorb into our bodies? If so, what are the ramification of this? Or did VDH make a big booboo?

Inquiring minds what to know.

Ethylene glycol is the one used in antifreeze ect.

Propylene glycol is safe for human and animal use. It is used in many pharmaceuticals as bases for creams, lotions, even suppositories. Propylene glycol is a general term, and in the chemical trade is usually superceded by a number indicating a molecular weight of that particular product. It comes in forms from rather thin liquids to actual solids of different melting points. They can be combined to achieve different properties depending on the use.

Some forms are even used to stablize highly figured woods to keep them from splitting during the drying/curing process.

[redrako]

Unfortunately Propylene glycol doesn't have the cool electric, neon green that anti-freeze does.

[RobAtSGH]

I was looking at the ingredients list on my new VDH Luxury Shave Soap and noticed the first ingredient listed is propylene glycol. Got me to thinking of where I've seen this listed before.

Oh yeah, antifreeze, brake fluid, hydralic fluid and the like.

"Scary Chemistry" is a little bit of a pet peeve of mine, so I apologize in advance if I poke this statement a little hard.

The toxic ingredient you're worried about in antifreeze is *ethylene* glycol, not propylene. The two compounds have similar thermal properties when mixed with water, which is why you have seen PG replace MEG in automotive antifreezes - it performs similarly with minimal toxicity. Ethylene glycol will thoroughly gank your central nervous system and kidneys, because one of its metabolites is oxalic acid.

PG metabolizes into pyruvic, lactic, and acetic acids, as well as propanal. Its toxicity at larger doses mainly stems from the fact that it's essentially an alcohol (all of which are toxic at some dosage due to their CNS depressant properties). You'd have to drink a good 3-4 ounces of the stuff, pure, before you'd notice any effects, and that'd likely to be limited to some stomach upset and CNS depression (drowsiness, dizziness), similar to downing a couple shots of high-proof ethanol.

So, no - PG in your shave cream won't kill you.

[Jim]

Many CHEAP soaps, skin conditioners, and other products use propylene glycol. It has been found to be safe by the FDA if used in limited quantities. However, some individuals show an allergic reaction to it.

FTFY Jim!

[Moe]

RV antifreeze for potable water systems contains propylene glycol. It's safe, at least for most folks.

[poppi]

Thanks for the info y'all. I really didn't know the differences and was concerned. I am much relieved cuz I like the new VDH Luxury SS and wanted to continue to use it but not if there was a health hazard.

Again, thanks for the info from all you chemically smarter than me folks.

Now go out and enjoy your shaves.

[JimmyD]

Soooo... inquiring minds want to know:

I've read this thread at least three times, and I still can't gleen if it's OK to top off my radiator with a half mixture of distilled water and VDH Luxury Shave Soap?

[BroJohn]

While I wouldn't drink the stuff, it's used in cattle feed, compounded in some medicines, used in cosmetics, and, as you've discovered is present in some shave goods. I wouldn't worry about it.

-- John Gehman

[dannymayo]

you can go to most pharmacies and ask for some pharmaceutical grade propylene glycol. It's pretty cheap. I mix it with water to keep my cigars humidified.

[captp]

The FDA considers it to be food safe. I've used it in my humidors for years with no ill effects, wiht on all afecs, wis facs nu illon...

just kidding. It's safe.