Propylene Glycol (PG)

Propylene glycol is an organic compound that is faintly sweet, colorless and in liquid or vapor form. Generally, due to its low oral toxicity, it is recognized as safe to use as an additive to food but we should also know that some of its uses include antifreeze, photo developing solutions, brake fluids, and coolants. That’s how “industrial” this toxic chemical is and yet it can be found in our daily personal care products such as hair products, liquid foundation, suntan lotions, deodorants, and toothpastes.

Propylene glycol acts as a humectant. It absorbs water and maintains moisture to medicines, personal care products and food while boosting artificial color and flavor of the product you are going to buy. Exposure to propylene glycol will cause systemic retention and can cause skin irritation and inflammation, kidney damage and liver problems.

Since propylene glycol serves its purpose well, allowed by the regulating government and most of all they are cheap, it is not hard to imagine why an antifreeze agent could end up in our shampoo bottles.

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