Comparing E1520 - Propylene Glycol vs E422 - Glycerol
Overview
Synonyms
Products
Found in 3,052 products
Found in 12,762 products
Search rank & volume
Awareness score
Search volume over time
Interest over time for 4 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.
Interest over time for 5 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.
Popular questions
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.
What is vegetable glycerin?
Vegetable glycerin is glycerol (E422) derived from plant oils (e.g., soybean, palm, coconut); it’s chemically identical to other glycerin and commonly used as a humectant and sweetener.
Is glycerin bad for you?
Generally no—at typical food and cosmetic levels it’s considered safe (FDA GRAS; EFSA found no safety concern at reported uses); large amounts may cause bloating, diarrhea, or thirst.
Is glycerin good for your skin?
Yes—glycerin is a humectant that draws and holds water in the outer skin layers, helping hydration and barrier function; very high, undiluted use can feel sticky or occasionally irritate.
What is glycerin used for?
In foods it works as a humectant, mild sweetener, thickener, and solvent/carrier for flavors and colors to keep products moist and stable; it’s also used in pharmaceuticals and personal care as a moisturizer, solvent, and plasticizer.
What is glycerin made of?
It’s most often produced by hydrolysis, saponification, or transesterification of natural triglycerides from plant or animal fats; it can also be made by microbial fermentation of sugars or synthetically from petrochemical routes.