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1,2-hexanediol is a type of organic compound that belongs to the diol or glycol family. It is a colorless and viscous liquid that is mostly used as a humectant and a solvent in the cosmetic and personal care product industry. Its versatility makes it useful in different fields. Some of the commonly used types include:
Cosmetic Grade 1,2-Hexanediol
Chemically, 1,2-hexanediol is a diol alcohol with the -OH functional group present in different locations in its six-carbon chain. Cosmetic grade 1,2-hexanediol is obtained through the reductive hydrogenation of fatty acids containing long carbon chain lengths. This grade is suited for skin care and cosmetic products because it is purified to not contain impurities that may irritate the skin. In cosmetics, it functions as a moisturizer. It boosts the moisture content of skin care products and water. Other than skin care, it serves as a fixer for fragrances in perfumes and colognes.
Industrial Grade 1,2-Hexanediol
Industrial grade 1,2-hexanediol is a lower-grade version of cosmetic 1,2-hexanediol. It is mostly used as a solvent in chemical processes and manufacturing. While it can still hold some moisture-retaining properties, its purity is lower than that of the cosmetic grade, which makes it unfit for personal care products. It is usually applied in coatings, plastics, and resin formulations as a plasticizer to improve flexibility.
Pharmaceutical Grade 1,2-Hexanediol
Pharmaceutical grade 1,2-hexanediol is highly purified hexanediol that adheres to strict pharmaceutical quality standards. This compound has a purity of not less than 99% and is free from potently hazardous and harmful contaminants. It is mainly used as a solvent in drug formulations and in the production of specific active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). Hexanediol is also used to help retain moisture in certain medicinal topical formulations. Its high purity is important in this field to avoid potentially harmful effects associated with impurities in drugs or products intended for medical use.
The organic compound has several distinctive features. They contribute to its multiple applications and effectiveness. Some of these features include:
Humectant Properties
1,2-hexanediol is a potent humectant. Humectants are substances that help keep products containing them moist by attracting and holding water molecules from the environment or air. This property makes 1,2-hexanediol a popular ingredient in skin care products, such as lotions, creams, and serums. It helps to temporarily keep skin moist by adding moisture and helping to repair dry and damaged skin. As a moisturizer, it works synergistically with other ingredients to boost skin hydration and improve the overall texture and feel of cosmetic products.
Antimicrobial Activity
Antimicrobial activity refers to the ability of a compound to prevent the growth of microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, and viruses. In addition to its moisturizing function, 1,2-hexanediol has been shown to possess mild antimicrobial properties. This helps inhibit the growth of opposing or conflicting microorganisms in some cosmetic and personal care formulations. This activity helps reinforce product safety by extending its shelf life and preventing the growth of potentially harmful microbes.
Solvent Properties
Due to its organic compound structure and hydroxyl groups, 1,2-hexanediol readily dissolves many substances, such as resins and polymers. This makes it a good solvent for use in coatings, paints, and other industrial products. Cosmetic grade 1,2-hexanediol can also function as a solvent, helping to dissolve other ingredients in lotions, creams, and skin care products to form a homogeneous mixture.
Plasticizer Functionality
Plasticizers are additives that increase the plastic and elastomer material's flexibility, workability, and durability. Industrial grade of 1,2-hexanediol is commonly used as a plasticizer in synthetic resins and polymers since it can effectively lower the glass transition temperature. This improves their performance in coatings, adhesives, and other materials requiring elasticity and flexibility.
Stability
1,2-hexanediol is chemically stable and does not readily react with other substances, such as oxidants. This makes it a versatile compound for many uses. It does not degrade quickly, which contributes to the stability of the products it is formulated in. For instance, 1,2-hexanediol in skin care products stays effective for a long time and does not lose its humectant activity.
1,2-hexanediol has different uses across industries because of its versatile properties. Some of the key uses include:
Cosmetic and Personal Care Products
One of the most prominent uses of 1,2-hexanediol is in cosmetic and personal care products, where it functions as a humectant, solvent, skin-conditioning agent, and antimicrobial booster. As a humectant, it attracts and retains moisture in skin care products like lotions, creams, and serums, providing hydration and helping to temporarily relieve dry skin. Its role as a solvent helps dissolve other ingredients in these products to create a smooth and homogeneous formulation. Additionally, 1,2-hexanediol possesses mild antimicrobial properties that help inhibit the growth of contrary or friendly microorganisms in these products, thereby improving their longevity and safety. What is more, 1,2-hexanediol is commonly found in deodorants, perfumes, and hair care products like shampoos and conditioners.
Industrial Applications
In industrial settings, 1,2-hexanediol is mainly used as a solvent and a plasticizer in coatings, paints, and polymers. Its effectiveness in dissolving resins and other substances makes it invaluable in improving the performance and application properties of different formulations. For instance, added to a coating, it enhances the coating's flexibility and adhesion. This makes it suitable for use in diverse construction and automotive applications. Because of its ability to reduce the glass transition temperature, 1,2-hexanediol is commonly incorporated into plastics and synthetic rubbers to increase their elasticity, thereby improving their durability and applicability in several products that require increased flexibility, such as sealants and adhesives.
Pharmaceuticals
1,2-hexanediol is used in the pharmaceutical industry. Here it is used as a solvent in drug formulations and helps enhance the solubility and bioavailability of certain active pharmaceutical ingredients. Its high purity makes it fit for use in medications and formulations that must adhere to stringent safety and quality regulations. It can also be incorporated into topical preparations such as creams and ointments to enhance their moisture-retaining ability. This helps improve skin texture and efficacy in medicinal treatments.
Agriculture
In agriculture, 1,2-hexanediol is sometimes used in pesticide formulations as a solvent and to help improve the efficacy of active ingredients by enhancing their absorption and distribution on plant surfaces.
1,2-hexanediol is a substance with varying specifications depending on its intended usage. Proper handling and storage are important to maintain its quality and purity. Some of the key specifications include:
Cosmetic Grade Specifications
Purity: Cosmetic-grade 1,2-hexanediol should have a high purity, typically above 99%. This ensures it is safe for use in personal care products. Heavy metals: It should contain negligible amounts of heavy metals. This is to avoid their accumulation in the body, which can result in dangerous health effects. Residual solvents: Acceptable residual solvent levels should be adherent to cosmetic regulations. These are primarily because such residuals can be harmful, especially in products to be applied on the skin. Moisture content: Usually, cosmetic 1,2-hexanediol should contain no more than 0.5% water. Excess water can promote microbial growth in cosmetic items. Antioxidant levels: These should be as per the recommended limits to avoid possible product interactions and discoloration, especially in skin care products.
Industrial Grade Specifications
Purity: For industrial applications, purity may be lower (around 95-97%) as it does not require the same level of purity as cosmetic products. Heavy metals: While not as stringent as cosmetic grades, moderate heavy metal content may be acceptable. Residual solvents: The presence of residual solvents is more lenient in industrial applications. However, ideally, they should be minimized as much as possible. Moisture content: Industrial-grade hexanediol can contain slightly higher moisture content. This is usually not more than 1%. High levels can still have adverse effects, such as reduced product efficacy.
Pharmaceutical Grade Specifications
As stated, the pharmaceutical grade is required to have the highest purity. Typically, this should be above 99%. This is to ascertain safety in medical applications. This grade has more stringent heavy metal and residual solvent requirements than the cosmetic grade.
How to Maintain 1,2-Hexanediol
To maintain the quality of 1,2-hexanediol, proper storage and handling are necessary. During storage, protect it from light and store it in opaque containers. This is to prevent photo-degradation. Store the container in a clean, cool, and dry environment with regulated temperatures of between 15 to 30°C. Avoid exposure to extreme heat or direct sunlight. Depending on what grade it is, the grade can also differ in storage conditions. For instance, cosmetic and pharmaceutical grades should be stored in more rigorously controlled environments compared to industrial grades. In terms of handling, always use clean equipment to avoid contamination. For pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, use equipment free of residues or contaminants that may cause adverse reactions. For industrial applications, while contamination is still a big issue, the standard can be a little lenient.
Yes, 1,2-hexanediol is a synthetic compound that does not originate from animals. This makes it a good vegan-friendly humectant for many skin-care products, such as lotions and creams. Some of its skin-care products are vegan deodorants.
1,2-hexanediol is a colorless oily liquid with hydroxy functional groups that make it a good humectant. It helps skin-care products and lotions take in and retain moisture. This makes skin care products so effective at temporarily relieving dry and itchy skin.
Using 1,2-hexanediol that meets pharmaceutical-grade standards will guarantee safety for any drug application. Such 1,2-hexanediol has the highest purity levels and more stringent controls on heavy metals and residual solvents.
1,2-hexanediol belongs to a class of diols called hexanediols. It is commonly used as a solvent and plasticizer in coatings and paints. By dissolving resins and enhancing their flexibility, it improves the performance and durability of the paints and coatings.
Generally, 1,2-hexanediol is considered low in toxicity to humans and non-hazardous to aquatic organisms. 1,2-hexanediol may lead to harm when released in large quantities. It can cause water pollution and possibly affect species that could come into contact with the contaminated water.
