What it is
- EU register name (INCI)
- 1,2-HEXANEDIOL
- CAS number
- 6920-22-5
- EC number
- 230-029-6
What the register lists it for
These are the uses the European Commission’s CosIng register lists for 1,2-Hexanediol in any cosmetic, hair roles first. They say why a maker might add it, not what it does in one formula, and they aren’t a safety rating.
- Solvent
-
Dissolves other ingredients. Water is the most common; some alcohols and glycols carry this role too.
Register definition: “Dissolving other components of cosmetics. Solvents are usually liquids (aqueous and nonaqueous).”
- Skin conditioning
-
The register’s broad role for ingredients that keep skin in good condition. On a hair label it often sits beside a hair role, or marks a plant oil or extract.
Register definition: “Maintaining the skin in good condition.”
Where it sits on each label
US labels list ingredients from most to least, except that those at 1% or less may follow in any order. A name near the top is a large part of the formula. A label doesn’t mark where the 1% point falls, so further down, the order says little about how much is in it.
- Stylers 2 labels First five names: 0 of 2 Stylers without it
- Curl refreshers 1 label First five names: 0 of 1 Curl refreshers without it
Every label, product by product (3)
- TRESemmé Bouncy Curls Defining Cream Styler 14th of 25 names
- Cécred Moisture Sealing Lotion Styler 34th of 48 names
- Curlsmith Shake & Shine Curl refresher 34th of 51 names
Each line runs from the first name on a label to the last; a dot is where this ingredient sits. Makers change formulas now and then; if the list on your bottle differs, go by your bottle.
Your next step
Other solvent ingredients on these labels
- Water (Aqua/Eau) 166 labels
- Limonene 75 labels
- Propanediol 27 labels
- Isopropyl Alcohol 15 labels
- Pentylene Glycol 12 labels
- C13-14 Isoalkane 2 labels
Updated · The name, numbers and uses come from the European Commission’s CosIng entry (CC BY 4.0); we write the uses in US spelling and put the hair ones first. The labels are each maker’s own. The order rule is the FDA’s Cosmetics Labeling Guide. All our sources are on the Sources page.