Comparing E1519 - Benzyl alcohol vs E1520 - Propylene Glycol
Overview
Synonyms
Products
Found in 192 products
Found in 3,052 products
Search rank & volume
Awareness score
Search volume over time
Interest over time for 5 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.
Interest over time for 4 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.
Popular questions
Is benzyl alcohol bad for hair?
Not inherently—at the low levels used as a solvent or preservative in hair products, it typically doesn’t damage hair, though some people may find it slightly drying or irritating to the scalp.
Is benzyl alcohol bad for skin?
It’s widely used in cosmetics and is generally safe at permitted levels, but it can cause irritation or allergic contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals (it’s a listed fragrance allergen in the EU).
Is benzyl alcohol safe?
Yes—E1519 is permitted as a food additive/solvent and considered safe at approved use levels; very high exposures can be harmful (notably in premature infants), and some people may be allergic.
Does benzyl alcohol dry out hair?
It can be mildly drying because it’s a solvent, but typical small amounts in formulations usually don’t cause noticeable dryness for most users.
Does benzyl alcohol dry out skin?
It may feel drying or stinging at higher concentrations or on sensitive/broken skin, though at common cosmetic levels (often up to about 1% as a preservative) most people tolerate it well.
Is propylene glycol safe?
Yes—E1520 is authorized in the EU and considered GRAS by the FDA when used within limits; the ADI is 25 mg/kg body weight per day. Very high exposures (mainly from medicines), especially in infants or those with kidney/liver impairment, can cause adverse effects.
What is propylene glycol used for?
In foods it functions as a humectant and solvent/carrier for flavors, colors, and emulsifiers, helping retain moisture and distribute ingredients evenly. It’s commonly used in baked goods, icings, confectionery, and flavor extracts.
Does propylene glycol cause cancer?
No—propane-1,2-diol has not shown carcinogenic effects in studies and is not classified as a human carcinogen. Regulatory evaluations report no cancer concern at permitted food-use levels.
Is propylene glycol antifreeze?
Propylene glycol is used in “low-toxicity” antifreeze and cooling systems, whereas the more toxic antifreeze is typically ethylene glycol. Food-grade propylene glycol is the same chemical but produced to high purity and used at much lower amounts in foods.
Is propylene glycol bad for you?
For most people, typical amounts in foods are not harmful and are well below the ADI (25 mg/kg body weight/day). Some individuals may experience irritation or rare allergic reactions, and excessive exposure—mainly from pharmaceuticals—can be problematic.