Database/Solvent/Methylpropanediol
100% petroleum · ISO 16128

Is Methylpropanediol natural?

No. This branched diol is manufactured from petrochemical aldehydes; no commercial fermentation route exists, unlike its isomer 1,3-propanediol.

INCI nameMethylpropanediol
CAS2163-42-0
FormulaC4H10O2 · 90.12 Da
FunctionSolvent
FeedstockProduced industrially from petrochemical-derived aldehydes (isobutyraldehyde/formaldehyde route) followed…

How we scored it

2-methyl-1,3-propanediol made via petrochemical isobutyraldehyde/formaldehyde route; whole molecule is synthetic. 0.0.
What counts. ISO 16128-2 scores the atoms that remain in the final ingredient. Reagents, solvents, catalysts and protecting groups used during manufacture leave no mass behind and are not counted.

Where it comes from

Produced industrially from petrochemical-derived aldehydes (isobutyraldehyde/formaldehyde route) followed by hydrogenation. Unlike 1,3-propanediol, it has no significant corn-fermentation alternative in commercial use.

In plain English

A synthetic solvent that helps other ingredients dissolve and improves the texture of lotions. Not the same as the corn-derived propanediol sometimes used in natural formulations. Made from petrochemical starting materials.

Natural alternatives with the same function

1,10-Decanediol 100% natural origin

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 Aqua 100% natural origin

Plain water, the most common cosmetic ingredient. It acts as the solvent base that dissolves and carries the…

 Avena Sativa Seed Water 100% natural origin

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 C10-18 Triglycerides 100% natural origin

A light conditioning oil made from glycerin and a mix of plant fatty acids. It smooths and softens…

 Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride 100% natural origin

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is a popular ingredient in skincare and cosmetics, often described as a "fractionated coconut oil" derivative.…

 Coconut Alkanes 100% natural origin

A lightweight, silky emollient oil used as a natural alternative to silicone. It's made entirely from coconut oil…

Structure

2D structure of Methylpropanediol

2-methylpropane-1,3-diol

PubChem CID 75103 ↗

References

  1. 1ISO 16128-1:2016 and ISO 16128-2:2017 — Guidelines on technical definitions and criteria for natural and organic cosmetic ingredients and products. ISO, Geneva.
  2. 2Methylpropanediol. PubChem CID 75103. National Center for Biotechnology Information. pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
  3. 3METHYLPROPANEDIOL. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
  4. 4METHYLPROPANEDIOL. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=METHYLPROPANEDIOL