Ingredient Dictionary

PROPYL ALCOHOL

Propan-1-ol is the parent member of the class of propan-1-ols that is propane in which a hydrogen of one of the methyl groups is replaced by a hydroxy group.

Definition

Propan-1-ol is the parent member of the class of propan-1-ols that is propane in which a hydrogen of one of the methyl groups is replaced by a hydroxy group. It has a role as a metabolite and a protic solvent. It is a short-chain primary fatty alcohol and a member of propan-1-ols.

Source: PubChem

US FDA substance register · UNII 96F264O9SV · registered name Propyl Alcohol · single chemical substance

Source: US FDA Unique Ingredient Identifier (UNII)

Cosmetic roles

Base that dissolves other ingredientsSOLVENTRemoves unwanted foamANTIFOAMING

Safety & regulatory references

Not classified under Korea’s toxic-substance GHS list · existing chemical substance

Source: Korea toxic substances GHS register (NIER)

Reviewed by CIR: Final Report of the Cosmetic Ingredient Reveiw Expert Panel on the Safety Assessment of Methyl Acetate

Source: US Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)

More data — names, identifiers, properties, test records, literature

Official labels & definitions

JCIA labelling name プロパノール: 本品は、次の化学式で表される脂肪族アルコールである。

Source: JCIA labelling names (Japan)

Names & identifiers

PROPYL ALCOHOLINCI프로필알코올Korean label name (MFDS standard)1-PropanolSynonymプロパノールJapanese labelling name

CAS No.chemical registry number: 71-23-8
EC No.EU chemical inventory number: 200-746-9
DTXSIDUS EPA chemical ID: DTXSID2021739
DTXCIDUS EPA compound ID: DTXCID001739

IUPAC: Propan-1-ol
Molecular formula: C3H8O
Molecular weight: 60.096 g/mol

Measured properties

Appearance: N-propanol appears as a clear colorless liquid with a sharp musty odor like rubbing alcohol. Flash point 53-77 °F. Autoignites at 700 °F. Vapors are heavier than air and mildly irritate the eyes, nose, and throat. Density approximately 6.5 lb / gal. Used in making cosmetics, skin and hair preparations, pharmaceuticals, perfumes, lacquer formulations, dye solutions, antifreezes, rubbing alcohols, s · Liquid, CBI
Odour: Similar to ethanol · Odor perception threshold: <0.07-100 mg/cu-m, odor recognition threshold: 0.32-150 mg/cu m
Boiling point: 207 °F at 760 mmHg (USCG, 1999) · 97.2 °C
Melting point: -195.2 °F (USCG, 1999) · -126.1 °C
Solubility: Miscible (NIOSH, 2024) · 1000000 mg/L (at 25 °C)
Density: 0.803 at 68 °F (USCG, 1999) - Less dense than water, will float · 0.8053 @ 20 °C/4 °C
Colour: colourless
Odour threshold: 2.5~40 ppm
Melting/freezing point: -127 ℃
Initial boiling point and range: 97 ℃
Flash point: 22.2 ℃(c.c.)
Upper/lower flammability or explosive limits: 2.1 / 13.5 %
Vapour pressure: 21 ㎜Hg(25℃)
Water solubility: 1000000 ㎎/ℓ(25℃)
Vapour density: 2.1
Relative density: 0.8053 (20℃)
n-Octanol/water partition coefficient (Kow): 0.25
Auto-ignition temperature: 371 ℃
Viscosity: 2.256 cP(20℃)
Molecular weight: 60.1

Values measured on the substance itself. The KOSHA data are a reference for writing and reviewing safety data sheets, not a specification for a commercial raw material.

Source: PubChem · KOSHA safety data sheets (Korea)

What products actually use it for

What the 41 products reported to the US EPA with this ingredient use it for. Products outside cosmetics are included, so the top few rows are its main uses.

Solvent19
Processing aids not otherwise specified4
Defoamer4
Intermediate2
Dye2
Pigment2
Flavouring and nutrient2
Heat transferring agent1

5 other uses

Fuel1
Emulsifier1
Fragrance1
Cleaning agent1
Wetting agent (non-aqueous)1

Source: US EPA CompTox dashboard

Irritation and sensitisation studies

3 skin studies and 7 eye studies are on record.

Classed as low3

The study conclusions largely agree (100%). These tests are on the raw material itself; irritation at the amount in a finished product is a different question.

See all 10 studies

Studies Indicate No Significant Irritation
skin irritation: in vivo · Screening · OECD Guideline 404 (Acute Dermal Irritation / Corrosion) equivalent or similar to
Not classified
Skin Irritation · Screening
Classification not possible
Skin Sensitization · Screening
Eye Dam. 1
Eye Irritation · Authoritative
Category 6.4A (Category 2A)
Eye Irritation · Read Across
Severe Irritation
eye irritation: in vivo · Screening · other guideline: pursuant to Federal Hazardous Substances Labling Act (Fed. Register of August 12, 1961, pages 7333-7341) according to
Eye Dam. 1
Eye Irritation · Screening
Serious eye damage/eye irritation - Category 2A
Eye Irritation · Screening
Category 1
Eye Irritation · Screening
Severe Irritation
eye irritation: in vivo · Screening · OECD Guideline 405 (Acute Eye Irritation / Corrosion) equivalent or similar to