Description
Zemea® Propanediol (Plant‑Derived) — Natural Humectant & Solvent for Modern Formulations
Zemea Propanediol INCI: Propanediol
Manufacturer: DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products
Certifications: ECOCERT • NPA • 100% Bio‑Based • Vegan • Cruelty‑Free
Zemea® Propanediol is a high‑purity, plant‑derived glycol alternative produced via sustainable fermentation of corn sugar. It offers exceptional moisturising performance, a superior sensory profile, and multifunctional benefits across skincare, haircare, and personal care formulations. Ideal for natural, vegan, and clean‑beauty products.
🌿 Key Benefits
- Plant‑derived & ECOCERT‑approved — suitable for natural and organic formulations
- Skin‑friendly humectant — excellent moisturising performance with improved skin feel
- Less tacky than glycerine — lighter, smoother, faster‑absorbing sensory profile
- Preservative boosting — enhances efficacy of certain preservative systems
- Non‑irritating & gentle — suitable for sensitive skin, baby care, post‑treatment
- 100% vegan & cruelty‑free
- Versatile — compatible with creams, lotions, gels, toners, deodorants, sunscreens, anti‑ageing, and cleansing products
🧪 Functional Roles in Formulation
- Humectant: Attracts and retains moisture
- Solvent: Excellent at dissolving challenging actives (e.g., salicylic acid)
- Carrier: Helps distribute actives evenly across the skin
- Sensory Modifier: Improves slip, absorption, and overall skin feel
- Preservative Booster: Enhances microbial protection when used appropriately
⭐ Special Highlight: Solubilising Salicylic Acid
Zemea® Propanediol is a formulator’s preferred solvent for clear, water based salicylic acid products. It enables alcohol‑free exfoliating serums and toners that are gentle yet effective — ideal for sensitive or acne‑prone skin.
📏 Usage Guidelines
- Typical usage: 1–5%
- Common usage: ~3% in creams, lotions, toners, gels, and serums using water soluble ingredients only
- Phase: Add to the water phase
- Solubility: Fully water‑soluble
- pH: Broad compatibility across typical cosmetic ranges
- Compatible with: Botanical extracts, actives, surfactants, preservatives, humectants
🔗 Propanediol Compatibility Table
| Ingredient Type | Compatible? | Notes |
| Salicylic Acid | ✔ Yes | Excellent solvent; enables clear BHA toners |
| Glycerine | ✔ Yes | Reduces tackiness when blended |
| Sodium PCA | ✔ Yes | Enhances humectancy in hydrating formulas |
| Hyaluronic Acid | ✔ Yes | Works well in serums and gels |
| Surfactants | ✔ Yes | Stable in cleansers and micellar waters |
| Preservatives | ✔ Yes | Can boost efficacy of certain systems |
| Alcohols | ✔ Yes | Compatible but often unnecessary |
| Acids (AHA/BHA) | ✔ Yes | Helps improve solubility and skin feel |
| Oils | ✖ No | Not oil‑soluble; use in water phase only |
- Combine with glycerine for a balanced humectant profile
- Use 3% for optimal sensory improvement in emulsions
- Ideal for boosting preservative systems in water‑rich formulas
- Excellent in gel textures for improved slip
- Use as a solvent for BHA formulations to avoid cloudiness
❓ FAQs
Why does the bottle look short‑filled? Propanediol is heavier than water, so when sold by weight, the volume appears slightly lower. This is normal — no leakage has occurred.
Is propanediol natural? Yes — Zemea® is 100% plant‑derived and ECOCERT‑approved.
Is it suitable for sensitive skin? Yes — it is non‑irritating and widely used in baby care and post‑treatment products.
Can it replace glycerine? Yes, in many formulas. It offers a lighter, less tacky skin feel.
Can it dissolve salicylic acid? Yes — it is one of the best solvents for water‑based BHA products.
📄 Technical Documentation
Batch codes and expiry dates are available under the Technical Documents tab. ( COA document)
🚚 Shipping Notice
Due to courier restrictions on liquids:
- Maximum 5 litres per order
- Orders containing over 2 litres must ship via Parcelforce 48
- You may combine liquids with dry ingredients even if total weight exceeds 5 kg
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