As the variety of cosmetic products continues to enrich, it has become a challenge for consumers to accurately distinguish between high-quality and low-quality products. Recently, makeup engineer Liu Li shared a practical tip - quickly judge the grade of cosmetics by checking the type of propylene glycol in the ingredient list. As one of the most commonly used moisturizers in cosmetics, propylene glycol is mainly divided into two types: 1,2-propanediol and 1,3-propanediol, which have significant differences in performance, cost, and application scenarios.
    In terms of raw material structure, 1,2-propanediol is a vicinal diol with hydroxyl groups attached to adjacent carbon atoms, which easily forms intramolecular hydrogen bonds. Its moisturizing power can only meet basic needs, with a slightly sticky skin feel and average mildness, and its core functions focus on basic moisturizing and solubilization. In contrast, 1,3-propanediol is a meta-diol with hydroxyl groups connected by separated carbon atoms, which can only form intermolecular hydrogen bonds. It not only has stronger and longer-lasting moisturizing power but also a refreshing and non-sticky skin feel and superior mildness. Additionally, it can be compatible with active ingredients such as peptides, making it suitable for the development of functional products.
     Differences in synthesis processes lead to a significant cost gap between the two. 1,2-propanediol is produced by the petrochemical method, featuring mature technology and a yield of over 95%. The industrial-grade unit price is only 8,000-11,000 yuan per ton, offering obvious cost advantages and meeting the needs of large-scale mass production. 1,3-propanediol mainly adopts the biological method as the mainstream, with complex processes and a yield of only 70%-80%. The industrial-grade unit price reaches 18,000-25,000 yuan per ton, which is more than twice the cost of 1,2-propanediol.
    The properties of the ingredients determine the product positioning. 1,2-propanediol is widely used in mass-market cosmetics such as 9.9-yuan eye shadows, affordable liquid foundations, and budget lipsticks, achieving basic moisturizing functions at low cost. Thanks to its excellent performance, 1,3-propanediol has become the preferred choice for sensitive skin cosmetics, children's cosmetics, functional skin-nourishing base makeup, and cosmetics with green and natural concepts. Its good skin feel and mildness form product selling points, and the profit margin is sufficient to cover the high cost.
   When purchasing cosmetics, consumers can accurately choose according to their own needs by checking the type of propylene glycol in the ingredient list.

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