CIR Safety Review: The CIR Expert Panel reviewed skin irritation studies of Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate that showed minimal to no irritation, and a negative comedogenicity study on Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate. Propylene Glycol Laurate caused only slight skin irritation. Data on the fatty acids and propylene glycol were negative for mutagenicity, chronic toxicity, and skin irritation and sensitizaiton.

Data were found suggesting that Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate and Propylene Glycol Dipelargonate may enhance the skin penetration of other chemicals. Because these ingredients may enhance the penetration of other ingredients, the CIR Expert Panel recommended caution when formulating with the propylene glycol mono- and diesters and other ingredients for which limits have been set based on low dermal absorption.

Link to FDA Code of Federal Regulations for propylene glycol mono-and diesters of fats and fatty acids, and esters formed by the reaction of reconstituted oils and Propylene Glycol
http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRS...
http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRS...

All the propylene glycol monoesters and diesters may be used in cosmetics and personal care products marketed in Europe according to the general provisions of the Cosmetics Directive of the European Union.
Link to the EU Cosmetics Directive: http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/sectors/cosmetics/documents/di...

The propylene glycol mono- and diesters are esters of propylene glycol and fatty acids. In the case of Propylene Glycol Dicocoate, the fatty acids are those derived from coconut oil.

In cosmetics and personal care products, these ingredients function as skin conditioning agents - occlusive and emollient, viscosity increasing agents - nonaqueous, and surfactants - emulsifying agents.