Abstract  Background: Traditional preservation systems currently used in cosmetic and skin care products are safe and effective. New ingredients with similar efficacy are continually being introduced to fulfill this function. Objective: To study the potential for delayed type IV allergic hypersensitivity and irritation of a new preservative system containing 1,2-hexanediol and caprylyl glycol. Methods: A 200-subject repeat insult patch test (RIPT) was performed. A 15% mixture of 1,2-hexanediol and caprylyl glycol (equal parts of the two ingredients) in carbomer gel was placed under a series of 9 continuous occlusive induction patches, each 48 hours in duration. Three induction patches were applied each week, for a total of 3 weeks. Following a 10-day rest period during which no patches were applied, a single challenge application using the same mixture was applied and left on for 48 hours and read at 48 and 72 hours postapplication. A cosmetic formulation containing this same preservation system at an actual use concentration was tested by the same RIPT protocol. Results: Two hundred and twelve subjects completed the study. One hundred and sixty-eight were female and 44 were male ranging in age from 18 to 70 years. No reactions were seen during the induction or challenge phases. An additional 212 subjects were enrolled in a separate RIPT that evaluated the cosmetic formulation containing the same preservation system. No delayed type IV allergic hypersensitivity or irritation reactions were observed. Conclusion: A new preservative system utilizing 1,2-hexanediol and caprylyl glycol did not induce delayed type IV allergic hypersensitivity or irritation in human subjects.

Abstract  Parabens are used as antimicrobial preservatives in consumer products. Exposure to methylparaben (MP) has been associated with adverse health outcomes, therefore, an alternative compound, 1,2-hexanediol (1,2-H), has been applied for cosmetics. In the present study, the phototoxicity of MP and 1,2-H, as well as the toxic effect caused by chronic exposure, were investigated using Daphnia magna. The 48 h acute toxicity tests with D. magna were conducted under indoor or ultraviolet (UV) light irradiation conditions, i.e., exposure to 4 h/d sunlight. Changes in the transcription of genes related to oxidative stress were determined in D. magna juveniles, to investigate the underlying mechanism of phototoxicity. The 21 d chronic toxicity tests of MP and 1,2-H were performed under indoor light irradiation. Exposure to MP under environmental level of UV light was more detrimental to D. magna. Transcripts of catalase and glutathione-S-transferase genes in D. magna was significantly increased by co-exposure to MP and UV light. After 21 d of chronic exposure to MP and 1,2-H, the reproduction no-observed effect concentrations for D. magna were 1 and >10 mg/L, respectively. The present study showed that exposure to UV could magnify the toxicity of MP on daphnids. Although acute and chronic toxicities of 1,2-H were generally lower than those of MP, its effects on other aquatic organisms should not be ignored. Further studies are needed to identify other mechanisms of MP phototoxicity.