Is Hexeth-5 safe in cosmetics?
Hexeth-5 has a safety rating of "GOOD" in our database. EU status: permitted. US status: permitted.
Good
Cosmetic Ingredient
Hexeth-5
Also known as: Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), alpha-hexyl-omega-hydroxy, Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), .alpha.-hexyl-.omega.-hydroxy-, alpha-Alkyl-omega-hydroxypoly(oxypropylene) and/or poly(oxyethylene) polymers where the alkyl chain contains a minimum of six carbons, minimum number average molecular weight (in amu) 1,100, alpha-Hexyl,omega-hydroxypoly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl)
INCI: HEXETH-5
Hexeth-5 (CAS 31726-34-8) is a cosmetic cosmetic ingredient functioning as Cleansing agent, Solvent, Surfactant (cleansing, emulsifying, hydrotrope). EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: permitted. Industrial safety data is also available in the chemical safety database. Same-CAS public records also appear in industrial chemical safety data.
View industrial chemical safety profile for CAS 31726-34-8 →
Auto-generated CPSR Part A draft with source citations
Cross-Vertical Regulatory Divergence
Hexeth-5 is classified GHS Danger (H315, H320, H302, H312, H314, H227, H311, H318) in the chemicals database but is allowed in EU cosmetics.
Source: Cosmetics: ingredients.eu_status; Chemicals: ghs_classifications.signal_word/hazard_statement_code
Function
Cleansing agent, Solvent, Surfactant (cleansing, emulsifying, hydrotrope)
Safety Rating
GOOD
Chemistry & Identifiers
IUPAC Name
2-hexoxyethanol
InChIKey
UPGSWASWQBLSKZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
permitted
US US Status
permitted
US Notes
Permitted — PEG ethers of fatty alcohols reviewed under CIR; not restricted under 21 CFR
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Hexeth-5.
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
PubChem Annotations
Safety and regulatory annotations from PubChem (NCBI) aggregated sources.
Safety (1)
ICSC Safety Card
1571
Source: ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
Function Categories & List Membership
Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
Cleaning agent
Emulsifier
Solubility enhancer
Solvent
Surfactant (surface active agent)
Wetting agent (non-aqueous)
Regulatory List Membership (1)
EPA Safer Chemical Ingredients List (SCIL)
Expert Verdict
Expert safety assessment and concern-level summary for Hexeth-5.
Regulatory Flags
epa_safer_alternative
Known Synonyms
Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), alpha-hexyl-omega-hydroxy
Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), .alpha.-hexyl-.omega.-hydroxy-
alpha-Alkyl-omega-hydroxypoly(oxypropylene) and/or poly(oxyethylene) polymers where the alkyl chain contains a minimum of six carbons, minimum number average molecular weight (in amu) 1,100
alpha-Hexyl,omega-hydroxypoly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl)
Chemical Function
Solvent
Surfactant (surface active agent)
Solubility enhancer
Emulsifier
Cleaning agent
Wetting agent (non-aqueous)
Regulatory Lists
fracking; water
SCIL (9/2019)
Australian Status
AICIS status: listed
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hexeth-5 allowed in the EU?
Hexeth-5 EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Hexeth-5 do in cosmetics?
Hexeth-5 functions as: Cleansing agent, Solvent, Surfactant (cleansing, emulsifying, hydrotrope). It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 31726-34-8.
Is Hexeth-5 used outside cosmetics?
Hexeth-5 also appears in industrial chemical safety data. The cross-vertical cards on this page render same-CAS public rows from the matched databases.
Does Hexeth-5 have different safety status in cosmetics vs industrial chemicals?
Hexeth-5 is classified GHS Danger (H315, H320, H302, H312, H314, H227, H311, H318) in the chemicals database but is allowed in EU cosmetics.
Compliance Tools
Check Hexeth-5 compliance across multiple jurisdictions:
Ingredient Decoder
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82 Allergen Checker
Check for EU declarable fragrance allergens
Substance Compliance
Check compliance across multiple jurisdictions
MoS Calculator
Calculate Margin of Safety using SCCS methodology
Heavy Metal Limits
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