"A practical supplier guide to Ethylhexylglycerin (CAS 70445-33-9, C11H24O3, MW 204.31, EINECS 408-080-2): a colourless liquid glyceryl ether that works as a preservative booster, skin-conditioning agent, and deodorant/fragrance-fixing active in creams, shampoos, deodorants, sunscreen, and makeup. Covers the specification (density ~0.962 g/mL, bp ~325 C, sparingly soluble in chloroform) and how it pairs with mild surfactants, emollients, and brightening/anti-aging actives."
-Deshangchemical-chemechemi
Ethylhexylglycerin (CAS 70445-33-9): The Multifunctional Ingredient Behind Mild, Stable, Well-Preserved Formulas
Most formulators know the feeling: you build a gentle cream or shampoo, but the preservative system is hard to balance, the skin feel needs a lift, and the odor profile is not quite right. Ethylhexylglycerin is one of those quiet workhorses that solves several of those problems at once. It is not the headline active in a product — it is the ingredient that helps everything else behave.
This guide walks through what the material actually is, the three jobs it does in a formula, where it is used, and the practical buying and handling points that matter when you source it by the drum.
What ethylhexylglycerin is
Ethylhexylglycerin — sometimes written as ethylhexyl glycerol, and also called octyloxy glycerol — is a branched-chain glyceryl ether with the molecular formula C11H24O3 and a molecular weight of 204.31 g/mol. Its CAS number is 70445-33-9 and its EINECS number is 408-080-2.
In its raw form it is a colourless liquid with a density of about 0.962 g/mL and a boiling point around 325 °C. It is only sparingly soluble in chloroform and slightly soluble in ethyl acetate and methanol, which is worth keeping in mind when you plan how to incorporate it. Because it is a liquid, it meters easily into a batch and blends well into oil phases and emulsions.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Chemical name | Ethylhexylglycerin (ethylhexyl glycerol, octyloxy glycerol) |
| CAS number | 70445-33-9 |
| Molecular formula | C11H24O3 |
| Molecular weight | 204.31 g/mol |
| EINECS | 408-080-2 |
| Appearance | Colourless liquid |
| Density | ~0.962 g/mL |
| Boiling point | ~325 °C |
| Solubility | Sparingly in chloroform; slightly in ethyl acetate, methanol |
The three jobs it does
The reason ethylhexylglycerin shows up on so many INCI lists is that it does more than one thing:
Preservative booster. On its own it is not a standalone preservative, but it lowers the amount of traditional preservative needed to protect a formula. It weakens the cell envelopes of certain microorganisms, which lets the primary preservative work at a lower dose. That is useful when you are trying to keep a "mild" claim honest while still passing the challenge test.
Skin-conditioning agent. It leaves a light, soft after-feel and supports the emolliency of the formula without adding heaviness. In a lotion it helps the product spread and leaves skin feeling conditioned rather than tight.
Deodorant and fragrance-fixing active. Ethylhexylglycerin inhibits the growth of Gram-positive bacteria that break down sweat and create body odor, and it helps fix the top and middle notes of a fragrance. That is why it is common in deodorants and in perfumed personal-care products.
Where it is used
The product data sheet lists lotion, cream, shampoo, deodorant, sunscreen, and makeup as applicable products. Typical use levels run about 0.3–1.0% in cream-type products and no more than around 0.6% in aerosol or spray forms. Those numbers are a starting point; the exact level depends on the rest of the preservative system and the product format.
In a cleanser built around a mild surfactant such as sodium lauroylsarcosinate, ethylhexylglycerin helps keep the formula comfortable and reduces the preservative load. In an emollient-rich cream, it works alongside carriers like squalane to improve spread and after-feel. And in a brightening or antioxidant serum containing kojic acid, alpha-arbutin, or L-ascorbic acid, it quietly supports stability and skin feel.
How it fits with other actives
One of the practical advantages of ethylhexylglycerin is that it is a team player. It is compatible with most of the cosmetic raw materials formulators already use, which makes it easy to slot into an existing base.
For cleansers, it pairs naturally with mild amino-acid surfactants and amphoteric materials such as lauryl betaine and N-oleoylsarcosine, where it supports a low-irritation profile. For leave-on skincare, it sits comfortably next to conditioning and brightening actives like alpha-arbutin, squalane, and citric acid anhydrous used for pH adjustment. And for anti-aging systems built around copper peptide GHK-Cu or argireline, it contributes to overall mildness and preservation without interfering with the actives.
Handling and storage notes
From a buying and plant perspective, a few points keep batches consistent. Store the material sealed, dry, and at room temperature — the supplier data recommends keeping it dry and sealed rather than refrigerated. Check the colour (it should be colourless) and confirm the assay and identity on the certificate of analysis before use. Because it is a liquid with limited water solubility, pre-dissolve or add it to the oil phase where the formula allows, and validate the incorporation step during scale-up.
Urea is another multi-role material that formulators often keep in the same toolkit, and the same rule applies to both: a supplier that holds stable specifications, provides a proper COA, and can deliver repeatable batches removes a small but real source of variability from your line.
Buying takeaways
Ethylhexylglycerin (CAS 70445-33-9) is a low-use, high-impact ingredient: it supports preservation, skin feel, and odor control in one material. If your current formulas are fighting preservative load, tightness after rinse-off, or odor stability, it is worth a reformulation trial at the 0.3–1.0% range. As with any raw material, start from the supplier's specification and confirm compatibility in your own base before scaling.
