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Propylene Carbonate

What Propylene Carbonate is & what it does

Propylene Carbonate is a solvent and carrier used in small amounts to help disperse and blend other ingredients into a formula. It is especially common with clays, mineral pigments and gelling agents, where it helps them swell or wet out evenly so the product feels smooth and uniform. It does not add SPF or condition the skin on its own; its job is to help everything else mix well.

What is Propylene Carbonate and what does it do in sunscreen?

Propylene Carbonate is a solvent and dispersing aid used in small amounts. Its job is to help blend and wet out other ingredients, especially clays, mineral pigments and gelling agents, so they spread evenly through the formula. It does not provide SPF or hydration itself; it is a behind-the-scenes processing helper that improves texture and uniformity.

Is Propylene Carbonate safe?

Yes. Propylene Carbonate is a well-tolerated solvent used at low levels in cosmetics and reviewed as safe for that use. It works mostly to disperse other ingredients rather than to act on the skin, and irritation is uncommon at the small amounts used. As with any solvent, the finished formula is what matters, and these levels are low.

Does Propylene Carbonate clog pores?

Generally no. Propylene Carbonate is a lightweight solvent used in tiny amounts, not a heavy oil or wax, so it is not a typical pore-clogging ingredient. It is there to help disperse other ingredients and largely does its job during manufacturing, making it an unlikely cause of breakouts.

Is Propylene Carbonate the same as propylene glycol?

No, despite the similar name. Propylene Carbonate is a solvent used mainly to disperse clays and pigments, while propylene glycol is a humectant and solvent that helps hold moisture. They are different ingredients with different jobs, so seeing one does not mean the other is present.

Is Propylene Carbonate natural or synthetic?

It is synthetic, made in a lab rather than taken ready-made from nature. Synthetic here simply describes how it is produced; its role is to help other ingredients disperse evenly, and it is used in small, supporting amounts.

Sunscreens with Propylene Carbonate

We rate 330 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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