Cosmetic-grade glycols and alcohols that dissolve actives and carry formulas — propylene glycol, butylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, benzyl alcohol, and ethanol — for serums, toners, and sprays.
Solvents and carriers in personal care are the liquid phase that dissolves actives, fragrances, and preservatives and carries them into a uniform product. The main classes are glycols and polyols (propylene glycol, butylene glycol, glycerin) that also function as humectants, and aromatic or volatile alcohols (benzyl alcohol, ethanol) used where fragrance solubility or fast flash-off matters. The choice follows the dosage form.
Propylene glycol and butylene glycol dissolve a wide range of actives and hold water in the formula, commonly at 1 to 10%. The trade-off is sensory: glycols that raise solvency and humectancy can leave a tacky feel at higher use levels, so butylene glycol is often chosen over propylene glycol for a lighter finish in leave-on products. Specify glycerin where humectancy is the priority and a glycol where solubilizing an active is.
Ethanol is the volatile solvent for toners, sprays, and fast-drying systems; it flashes off quickly and aids preservation, though it can feel drying at high levels. Benzyl alcohol is an aromatic solvent that also functions as a preservative and is a declarable fragrance allergen in some markets. Match the carrier to the dosage form rather than defaulting to one solvent across a product range.
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