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Quick answer: Both score equally on our risk model. Butylene Glycol is allowed in the EU and allowed in the US; Sodium Hyaluronate is allowed in the EU and allowed in the US.
| Property | Butylene Glycol | Sodium Hyaluronate |
|---|---|---|
| EU status | Allowed | Allowed |
| US status | Allowed | Allowed |
| Risk level | low | low |
| Banned in | — | — |
| Restricted in | — | — |
| Category | humectant | humectant |
| Where it hides | COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence, The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5, Laneige Water Sleeping Mask | CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser, La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Serum, Vichy Mineral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster |
Butylene glycol (1,3-butanediol) is a small diol used in cosmetics as a humectant, solvent, and skin-conditioning agent. It is closely related to propylene glycol but has a slightly larger molecular structure, often making it even better tolerated.
Sodium hyaluronate is the sodium salt form of hyaluronic acid. It has a slightly smaller molecular weight than free hyaluronic acid, which allows better penetration into the outer layers of the stratum corneum. It is the form most commonly used in topical serum formulations.
Butylene Glycol: Butylene glycol has a good safety profile and is better tolerated by sensitive skin than propylene glycol at equivalent concentrations. The CIR has confirmed it safe for cosmetic use. It is non-carcinogenic, non-mutagenic, and not an endocrine disruptor. Contact sensitization is rare. It is widely used in Korean beauty (K-beauty) formulations as a preferred humectant.
Sodium Hyaluronate: Sodium hyaluronate shares the excellent safety profile of hyaluronic acid. It is an endogenous compound, non-allergenic, non-irritating, and thoroughly reviewed as safe by the CIR. No concerns regarding carcinogenicity, hormones, or systemic toxicity exist.
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