Focus Ingredients: Ethoxydiglycol
Ethoxydiglycol, the ethyl ether of diethylene glycol (DEGEE), is a substance widely used in various sectors of the chemical industry. Thanks to its physical properties, it is an excellent solubiliser for both lipophilic and hydrophilic compounds.
In cosmetics and dermatological preparations, the highest purity grade is used. Ethoxydiglycol is valued not only for its solvent properties but also for its role as a penetration enhancer, helping active ingredients diffuse across skin and mucosal barriers and improving percutaneous absorption.
Ethoxydiglycol is regulated under Annex III / 297 of the Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009. According to the regulation, its use is authorised as a humectant, fragrance ingredient and solvent in cosmetics, subject to restrictions related to concentration and product type.
Annex III / 297 sets out specific restrictions regarding:
- Purity grade of the raw material (ethylene glycol present as impurity must be below 0.1%)
- Prohibition of use in certain body areas (eye products and oral care products)
- Maximum use levels for:
- Oxidative hair dye products: 7%
- Non-oxidative hair dye products: 5%
- Rinse-off products other than hair dyes: 10%
- Other non-spray cosmetic products: 2.6%
- Certain spray products such as perfumes, hair sprays, antiperspirants and deodorants: 2.6%
Safety profile of Ethoxydiglycol
The Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) is the institution through which the European Commission issues updates to several regulations, including the Cosmetics Regulation. The SCCS performs safety assessments on ingredients showing a potentially higher risk profile.
For Ethoxydiglycol, Margins of Safety (MoS) were calculated for all the envisaged exposure scenarios. The resulting values were above 100 at the doses and concentrations foreseen for the various product categories.