Why Do Wet Wipes Contain Propylene Glycol?

Propylene glycol is a colorless, odorless, viscous, and transparent liquid that has a variety of applications in many industries, including clothing, plastics, cosmetics, food, synthetic resins, and more. It can also be used as antifreeze, de-icing agent, heat transfer medium, and liquid detergent, among others.

What is propylene glycol?

Propylene glycol is a colorless, odorless, viscous, and transparent liquid that is a fatty mixture containing two hydroxyl groups. Because both hydroxyl groups in the propylene glycol molecule can undergo chemical reactions, propylene glycol is an important chemical intermediate used in plastics, clothing, synthetic resins, cosmetics, food, and various other fields. It can also be used as antifreeze, de-icing agent, heat transfer medium, and liquid detergent.

Why do wet wipes contain propylene glycol?

Reason one: moisturizing. Wet wipes are used on the skin, and it is desired to keep the skin moist after wiping. At this moment, the role of propylene glycol is similar to glycerin.

Reason two: antibacterial. The antibacterial activity of propylene glycol can slow down the growth rate of bacteria on wet wipes, thereby protecting the safety of users. This is particularly important when wet wipes are used as feminine and baby hygiene products.

In fact, the toxicity and irritancy of propylene glycol are quite low. Its "toxicity" mainly manifests as an impact on the nervous system, which only occurs when extremely high doses are ingested. (For example, animal experiments have shown that when the daily dose per kilogram of body weight exceeds 13.2 grams, propylene glycol can cause central nervous system suppression.) However, as long as it does not exceed the prescribed limit, a small amount of ingestion or skin contact is relatively safe.

Application fields of propylene glycol

• Food industry: used in dairy products, meat products, baked goods, various beverages, candy, seasoning, and other food products. 

• Pharmaceutical manufacturing: health foods, substrates, fillers, biological drugs, pharmaceutical raw materials, etc.

• Industrial products: petroleum industry, manufacturing industry, agricultural products, scientific research and development, batteries, precision castings, etc. 

• Daily chemical products: Provided by the professional green solvent supplier, it can be used as facial cleanser, beauty cream, toner, shampoo, toothpaste, shower gel, mask, etc.

• Feed additives and veterinary drugs: pet canned food, animal feed, nutritional feed, genetically modified feed research and development, aquatic feed, vitamin feed, animal drug products, etc. 

• Experimental reagents: used for various types of research and development.

• Other industries: can be used as a substitute for glycerin in the flavoring of tobacco and as an antifreeze and moisturizer.