Compendium of the most significant studies with reference to properties, intake, effects.

E. Lee,S. An,S.-A. Cho,Y. Yun,J. Han,Y. K. Hwang,H. K. Kim,T. R. Lee  The influence of alkane chain length on the skin irritation potential of 1,2-alkanediols  doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2494.2011.00646.x

Abstract.  To investigate the influence of alkane chain length on the skin irritation potential of 1,2-alkanediols. 

Lee E, An S, Cho SA, Yun Y, Han J, Hwang YK, Kim HK, Lee TR. The influence of alkane chain length on the skin irritation potential of 1,2-alkanediols. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2011 Oct;33(5):421-5. doi: 10.1111/j.1468-2494.2011.00646.x.

Abstract.  To investigate the influence of alkane chain length on the skin irritation potential of 1,2-alkanediols. 

Seino H, Kawaguchi N, Arai Y, Ozawa N, Hamada K, Nagao N. Investigation of partially myristoylated carboxymethyl chitosan, an amphoteric-amphiphilic chitosan derivative, as a new material for cosmetic and dermal application. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2021 Jul;20(7):2332-2340. doi: 10.1111/jocd.13833.

Abstract. This study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of partially myristoylated carboxymethyl chitosan, an amphoteric-amphiphilic chitosan derivative, as a new material for cosmetics in the absence of a surfactant comprising an anionic polymer.

Warner KS, Li SK, Higuchi WI. Influences of alkyl group chain length and polar head group on chemical skin permeation enhancement. J Pharm Sci. 2001 Aug;90(8):1143-53. doi: 10.1002/jps.1068.

Abstract.  The purpose of the present study was to further investigate what was believed to be a somewhat surprising finding, and two additional homologous series, the 1,2-alkanediols and N,N-dimethylalkanamides, were selected for study as enhancers.

Chularojanamontri L, Tuchinda P, Kulthanan K, Varothai S, Winayanuwattikun W. A double-blinded, randomized, vehicle-controlled study to access skin tolerability and efficacy of an anti-inflammatory moisturizer in treatment of acne with 0.1% adapalene gel. J Dermatolog Treat. 2016;27(2):140-5. doi: 10.3109/09546634.2015.1079298.

Abstract. This study aimed to compare tolerability and efficacy of moisturizers containing licochalcone A, l-carnitine and 1,2-decanediol (active formulation) with a placebo in mild to moderate severe acne in Asian subjects.

Angelova-Fischer I, Rippke F, Fischer TW, Neufang G, Zillikens D. A double-blind, randomized, vehicle-controlled efficacy assessment study of a skin care formulation for improvement of mild to moderately severe acne. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2013 Jul;27 Suppl 2:6-11. doi: 10.1111/jdv.12168.

Abstract. Cosmetic formulations based on a combination of active compounds with in vitro proven anti-inflammatory, sebum regulating and P. acnes reducing properties may therefore contribute to improve the clinical signs and associated burden of disease.

Decylene glycol (1,2-Decanediol) is a chemical compound, alkanediol (composed of alkane and diol), amphiphilic,  short-chain 1,2-glycol.

The name describes the structure of the molecule:

• Decylene denotes a chain of ten carbon atoms with a double bond, characteristic of alkenes.
• glycol refers to a molecule with two alcohol groups (-OH), indicating that the substance is a di-alcohol.

Raw Materials Used in Production.

Decylene Glycol is a synthetic diol primarily derived from the chemical reaction between long-chain alkenes and glycolic compounds.

Step-by-step Summary of Industrial Production Process.

• Synthesis of Decylene Glycol through oxidation or hydrogenation of long-chain alkenes.
• Purification of the product to remove impurities and reaction byproducts.
• Quality control to ensure the purity and technical specifications of Decylene Glycol.

It appears as a fine white, water-soluble powder.

What it is used for and where

Medical

In acne, one of the main pathogenic factors is considered to be sebum production and 1,2-Decanediol has been shown in laboratory and in vivo tests to inhibit the biofilm formed by Cutibacterium acnes, a bacterium responsible for acne formation, and to reduce its size (1). 1,2-Decanediol has the potential role of preventing acne vulgaris, without adverse effects (2).

1,2-Decanediol has shown good anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects (3).

Cosmetics

Alkanediols are used as alternative antimicrobial preservatives for dermal formulations, hydrophilic creams, etc.

Decylene glycol is used in shampoos, liquid soaps as a moisturising agent with antibacterial activity and a thickening and foaming effect.

Skin conditioning agent. It is the mainstay of topical skin treatment as it has the function of restoring, increasing or improving skin tolerance to external factors, including melanocyte tolerance. The most important function of the conditioning agent is to prevent skin dehydration, but the subject is rather complex and involves emollients and humectants that can be added in the formulation.

Chemical

To improve the hydrophilicity and extractability of the compound in multi-residue analysis in supramolecular solvents (SUPRAS) 1,2-decanediol helped to increase the hydrophilic-hydrophobic equilibrium (4).

Commercial Applications

Used in cosmetics and personal care products as a humectant, solvent, and antimicrobial agent. It enhances product stability and shelf life, and contributes to their consistency and applicability.

The most relevant studies on this chemical compound have been selected with a summary of their contents:

1,2-Decanediol studies

• Molecular Formula  C₁₀H₂₂O₂
• Linear Formula CH₃(CH₂)₇CH(OH)CH₂OH
• Molecular Weight     174.28
• Exact Mass   174.161987
• CAS  1119-86-4
• UNII     S57M60MI88
• EC Number   214-288-2
• DSSTox Substance ID  
• IUPAC  decane-1,2-diol
• InChI=1S/C10H22O2/c1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-10(12)9-11/h10-12H,2-9H2,1H3  
• InChl Key      YSRSBDQINUMTIF-UHFFFAOYSA-N
• SMILES   CCCCCCCCC(CO)O
• MDL number  MFCD00010739
• PubChem Substance ID    24855732
• ChEBI  143858
• SCHEMBL 51461 
• NSC   28662
• NACRES NA:23 

Synonyms:

• Decane-1,2-diol
• 1,2-DIHYDROXYDECANE

References________________________________________________________________________

(1) Sulzberger M, Fölster H, Sattler M, Rippke F, Grönniger E. Inhibition of Propionibacterium acnes associated biofilm formation by Decanediol. J Dermatol Sci. 2016 Aug;83(2):159-61. doi: 10.1016/j.jdermsci.2016.05.003. 

(2) Bassino E, Gasparri F, Munaron L. Pleiotropic Effects of White Willow Bark and 1,2-Decanediol on Human Adult Keratinocytes. Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2018;31(1):10-18. doi: 10.1159/000481690.

(3) Di Caprio R, Monfrecola G, Balato A, Balato N, Gasparri F, Micillo R, Lembo S. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of 1,2-decanediol and willow bark extract in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated keratinocytes. G Ital Dermatol Venereol. 2019 Dec;154(6):624-631. doi: 10.23736/S0392-0488.17.05592-4.

(4) González-Rubio S, Ballesteros-Gómez A, García-Gómez D, Rubio S. Double-headed amphiphile-based sponge droplets: synthesis, characterization and potential for the extraction of compounds over a wide polarity range. Talanta. 2022 Mar 1;239:123108. doi: 10.1016/j.talanta.2021.123108.