Skin reactions to hexylene glycol

Hexylene glycol (HG), which has been used for years in industrial chemicals and cosmetics, has recently been introduced in topical corticosteroids. We studied the irritant and sensitizing properties of HG in eczema patients. HG at 50% or 30% and propylene glycol (PG) at 30% in water were patch tested in 823 eczema patients subjected to routine patch testing. Oedema and erythema reactions from HG occurred in 2.8% of the patients. The corresponding result for PG was 3.8%. 50% HG equalled 30% PG in producing a visible reaction. In patch tests with dilution series, 2 patients reacted to 1% HG, but in both cases ROAT with HG remained negative. One other patient with a 3+ patch test reaction to both 30% PG and 50% HG had a positive ROAT result to 30% HG in water and to 5% PG in a cream base. PG, but not HG, increased transepidermal water loss both in atopic normal-looking skin and among healthy controls. The present results suggest that HG is less irritating that PG under occlusion, but that delayed contact allergic reactions may occur.