Arrow to expande the menu options Loading
Common use propylene glycol and benzalkonium chloride in wet wipes
Wet wipes

Common use propylene glycol and benzalkonium chloride in wet wipes

18/04/2022

Common use propylene glycol and benzalkonium chloride in wet wipes

In the content of wet wipes, propylene glycol is a chemical reagent widely used in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.

Benzalkonium chloride is a quaternary ammonium salt cationic surface active broad-spectrum bactericide with strong bactericidal power.

1. Why is there propylene glycol in wet wipes?

①Moisturizing

The full name of propylene glycol is 1,2-propanediol. If you add a hydroxyl group to its molecule, you can get a better-known substance - glycerol. It is a viscous, slightly sweet liquid that is hygroscopic, lubricating and has a certain antibacterial effect. The role of propylene glycol on wet wipes is to keep the skin moist in a short period of time after the wet wipes are wiped on the skin, and avoid dry skin caused by liquid volatilization.

②Antibacterial

After opening the package, the wet wipes will come into contact with the air, and the bacteria in the air will easily grow on the surface of the wet wipes. At this time, the antibacterial activity of propylene glycol can delay the reproduction of bacteria on the wet wipes, thus protecting the use of The safety of the user, which is especially reflected in the female wipes.

Propylene glycol is also approved by the FDA as a food additive. In the "Anything Added to Foodstuffs" (EAFUS) catalog, the number for propylene glycol is 1615 and the document category code is ASP. This means that, from the current published research evidence, FDA has not found that propylene glycol has reasons or risks that it cannot be used as a food additive. In other words, as long as it is not used in excess or in excess, the use of propylene glycol in food is safe for the human body, and even if it is consumed for a long time, there is no obvious safety hazard.

In the current market, many water-based body lubricants use propylene glycol and glycerin as key additives to achieve moisturizing, thickening and other effects. In order to achieve a sticky feel, the propylene glycol content will be higher than in wet wipes. These lubricant products for the most sensitive mucous membranes of the human body do not cause irritation and discomfort, so why worry about wiping your hands with wet wipes?

2. Is benzalkonium chloramine harmful?

It is a common surfactant with a stronger antibacterial effect and is often used as an antibacterial disinfectant. Existing research believes that high concentration (above 10%) benzalkonium chloride solution is irritating to human skin and mucous membranes, but it is still safe within the normal dose range, and can reduce bacterial contamination when needed risks of. Skin disinfection before surgery, daily hand sanitizers, nasal drops, contact lens care solutions, etc. can all choose benzalkonium chloride as an antibacterial agent.

Another common use of benzalkonium chloride in daily life is the familiar Band-Aid, which acts as an antibacterial to the skin and tissue near minor wounds.

In addition, most of the other ingredients in wet wipes are some antibacterial preservatives, surfactants and so on. Under normal use, these substances do not bring obvious health risks. During use, remember not to use them frequently and avoid sensitive skin.