Propylene glycol (PG) is a common and versatile ingredient, widely used in cosmetics, foods and drinks, household products, medicines, paints, e-liquids and many other types of product.
It is widely considered safe and non-toxic, but some people react to it, usually (but not always) fairly mildly, and typically through exposure to skincare products, in which PG serves as an emollient and humectant, as a carrier for fragrance or colour, and as a part-preservative.
One of the difficulties with sensitivity to PG is that it can be tricky to diagnose. Reactions may be so mild, that dermatologists may be unable to confidently distinguish an irritant reaction from an allergic one, or whether it is relevant to everyday exposures.
Another difficulty is, unsurprisingly, avoidance. Multiple cosmetics aside, PG is widely found on supermarket shelves, and in their fridges and freezers, and is common in sparkling drinks, baked goods, meat-alternative products, confectionary, condiments, and nutritional supplements. Most people with PG sensitivity don’t need to strictly avoid dietary sources, but some do. It can appear in different forms and versions as E1520, E405 and E477 on food labels.
In cosmetics, it usually appears straightforwardly as its chemical name — ‘propylene glycol’ — but may appear as 1,2-propanediol. It is usually derived from petrochemicals, but more naturally derived PG is now becoming available, meaning that previously PG-free natural or organic brands cannot be confidently regarded as safe for PG-allergic consumers any longer.
1,3-propanediol — sometimes confusingly referred to as just ‘propanediol’ — is a similar compound, with similar uses, always manufactured from plant-based sources, which some people with PG sensitivity additionally react to.
So to help people with this condition, I’m very happy to have published a new book, Living with Propylene Glycol Allergy, which aims to advise and support people with PG sensitivity, and covers testing, diagnosis, cosmetic safety, labelling, food and drink avoidance, medication, emotional wellbeing and indeed other allergies which may co-exist with PG allergy.
If this is you, I hope you find it useful, and would love to hear your thoughts if you do decide to give it a try!
Living with Propylene Glycol Allergy is available from Amazon sites worldwide.
For my other books, click here.