Hexylene Glycol

Cleanses and foams.

What it is

A clear liquid made in a lab. It is a glycol, a type of alcohol.

Used as a solvent that helps dissolve other ingredients, and helps the oil and water parts of the formula mix.

A short summary from the dictionary, not yet an in-depth article. About these entries

Cleanses and foamsOfficial EU function: Surfactant - cleansing

Helps oil and water mixOfficial EU function: Surfactant - emulsifying

Dissolves other ingredientsOfficial EU function: Solvent

Keeps skin in good conditionOfficial EU function: Skin conditioning

Adds scentOfficial EU function: Perfuming

Worth knowing · The pure substance, EU

As a pure substance it can irritate or damage skin or eyes (EU harmonised classification). How much a product contains matters.

A label gives no amounts, so none of this says a product is unsafe.