Is triethylhexanoin good for your skin?

Triethylhexanoin in cosmetics

Skin care products, cleansers, sunscreens, lipsticks, eye makeup... If you look at the back of various cosmetics, you may find that they contain an ingredient called triethylhexanoin.

I'm not good with complicated ingredient names. I get dizzy when I see a row of katakana.
I think there are many people like that.

But you're probably curious about what ingredients they contain and whether they have any beneficial effects on the skin.
Therefore, in this article, I would like to explain in an easy-to-understand manner what kind of ingredient triethylhexanoin is.

Triethylhexanoin is a useful ingredient

Triethylhexanoin is made by mixing glycerin with petroleum-derived fatty acids. It is a synthetic oil component with low viscosity.

It is also characterized by its compatibility with many ingredients such as silicone , vegetable oil , and UV absorbers . Because it is so easy to use, it is used in cosmetics for a variety of purposes, including the following:

• Conditioning Agent
• Emollients (protects the skin)
• Anti-static
• Solvent (dissolves other ingredients)
• Fragrances

Because it can perform a variety of functions, it is used in a wide range of cosmetics, including skin care, makeup, hair care, baby products, sunscreen, deodorants, and more.
It is especially useful as a substitute for silicone ingredients such as cyclomethicone.

Reference blog: Is cyclomethicone in foundation bad for your skin?

Effects on the skin

Triethylhexanoin is characterized by being light and non-sticky. It has a low oily feel, spreads easily, and adheres closely to the skin. This helps to keep the skin moisturized and protects it from external irritation.

However, it does not have any moisturizing effect on the skin itself.

Its role is solely to protect and cover the surface of the skin. The idea is to keep skin well-moisturized and hydrated. Therefore, if you use it on already dry skin, there is a possibility that it may cause inner dry skin.

For the same reason, it is also effective in preventing dry hair, as it keeps moisture in the hair.
It also has the same effect as silicone, which fills in the unevenness of hair, making hair smooth and easy to run your fingers through.

Safety of Triethylhexanoin

There are several organizations around the world that evaluate the safety of cosmetic ingredients. Let's take a look at the evaluations of the two most influential organizations, CIR and EWG, both from the US.

Safety evaluation by CIR

According to the 2022 CIR report , triethylhexanoin is considered safe for current use. Currently, it is used at the following concentrations, and it is considered safe within these ranges.

Skin Care Products	0.002% to 100%
Cosmetics for use around the eyes	0.002% to 52%
lipstick	Up to 63%
Face Powder	Up to 14.7%
Deodorant (underarm)	0.8% to 9%
hair care	0.035% to 30%
Body spray	Up to 38%
perfume	Up to 36%

It appears that it has been used in skin care products at a concentration of 100%, which shows that it is considered safe even at fairly high concentrations.
The same report also stated that triethylhexanoin did not show sensitizing properties in skin contact allergy tests.

Rated safe by EWG

Triethylhexanoin has also been rated as highly safe by the American EWG, which reviews ingredients for safety.
However, there doesn't seem to be much research on the ingredients, and even if it is safe, there is still little data or research to support that claim.

summary

Triethylhexanoin, which is used in many cosmetics, appears to be a safe ingredient. The risk of allergies or skin irritation seems to be quite low, so it is likely that people with sensitive skin can use it.

However, it is not an ingredient that has a high moisturizing or skin-beautifying effect on the skin. It is best to remember it as a safe ingredient that supports the skin's protective barrier.