1,5-PENTANEDIOL

Also known as: 1,5-Pentanediol

INCI: 1,5-PENTANEDIOL | Function: Humectant, Solvent | Type: Synthetic diol (C5 chain — humectant/solvent)

What Is 1,5-PENTANEDIOL?

1,5-Pentanediol is a synthetic 5-carbon diol (double alcohol) that functions as a humectant and solvent in skincare formulations. Unlike propylene glycol (C3) or butylene glycol (C4), the longer C5 chain provides better skin feel with less tackiness. It also has mild antimicrobial properties.

Key Skin Benefits

+ Effective humectant — draws moisture into skin
+ Better skin feel than shorter-chain glycols (less tacky)
+ Mild antimicrobial — can boost preservative systems
+ Good solvent for active ingredients and botanical extracts

Pros

+ Less tacky than propylene glycol or butylene glycol
+ Multi-functional — humectant + solvent + antimicrobial booster
+ Good skin compatibility

Cons

− Synthetic — not naturally derived
− Can be drying at very high concentrations
− Less researched than propylene/butylene glycol

Specifications

Property	Value
Usage Areas	Face, Eye, Body
Product Type	Leave-On, Rinse-Off
Source	Synthetic
Natural Level	Synthetic

Safety Ratings

Metric	Rating
Skin Sensitivity	1/5 (very low)
Comedogenic Rating	0/5
EWG Score	2/10

Regional Regulatory Limits

Region	Leave-on %	Rinse-off %	Status
EU (CosIng)	No limit	No limit	Allowed
US (CIR/FDA)	No limit	No limit	Allowed
Japan (MHLW)	No limit	No limit	Allowed
ASEAN	No limit	No limit	Allowed
China (NMPA)	No limit	No limit	Allowed

Typical Usage % by Product Type

Product Type	Typical %
Toner / Essence	1 - 5%
Serum	2 - 8%
Moisturizer	1 - 5%

References

CIR — Safety Assessment of glycols. PMID: 22934897
EU CosIng Database — Listed as humectant/solvent.
SpecialChem — 1,5-Pentanediol cosmetic ingredient

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