Ingredient
Diethylene Glycol
Diethylene Glycol is flagged for pregnancy, breastfeeding, postpartum, trying to conceive, PCOS and general use. The concern behind the strongest flag is known teratogen and absorbed into the body.
- DEG
- 2,2'-Oxydiethanol
- Diglycol
Verdict by profile
Truva checks every ingredient against six profiles. Jump to any of them for the full assessment.
- Strongest verdict
- Not Recommended
- Its verdict for pregnancy, the profile this one is worst in
- Profiles flagged
- 6 of 6
- Counting avoid, high risk and medium risk
- Irritancy
- 3 of 5
- Higher means more likely to sting or redden
Diethylene Glycol and pregnancy
Not Recommended
- Known teratogen
- Absorbed into the body
Diethylene glycol (DEG) is a toxic chemical that is PROHIBITED in cosmetics. It should never appear as an ingredient in properly manufactured cosmetic products. DEG is sometimes found as a contaminant when manufacturers improperly substitute it for safe glycols like propylene glycol. DEG is highly toxic and can cause severe harm during pregnancy. The FDA has documented numerous cases of DEG poisoning, including deaths, from contaminated products. Animal studies show DEG causes developmental toxicity, birth defects, and fetal death at toxic doses. While these studies involve oral exposure, DEG can be absorbed through skin, especially with prolonged contact or large surface area application. The EU explicitly prohibits DEG in cosmetics under Annex II (list of prohibited substances) of the EU Cosmetics Regulation. The FDA considers DEG unacceptable for use in cosmetics and has issued warnings about contaminated products. If you find DEG listed as an ingredient, do not use the product and report it to regulatory authorities. Pregnant women should absolutely avoid any product containing diethylene glycol.
Diethylene Glycol and breastfeeding
Not Recommended
- Passes into breast milk
- Infant exposure
Diethylene glycol is a prohibited toxic substance that should never be present in cosmetic products. DEG has caused mass poisoning incidents worldwide when improperly used in consumer products and medications. DEG is systemically toxic and can be absorbed through the skin with prolonged exposure. Given its toxicity profile and potential for systemic absorption, DEG could theoretically transfer into breast milk and pose serious risks to breastfed infants. The compound causes kidney damage, neurological effects, and can be fatal. The FDA and EU strictly prohibit DEG in cosmetics. Breastfeeding women should absolutely avoid any product listing diethylene glycol and should report such products to regulatory authorities. The presence of DEG in a cosmetic product indicates serious quality control failures or intentional adulteration.
Diethylene Glycol and postpartum
Not Recommended
Diethylene glycol is a toxic, prohibited substance that poses serious health risks to all users regardless of life stage. It is banned from cosmetics in the EU and considered unacceptable by the FDA. Postpartum women should avoid DEG for the same reasons as the general population: it is systemically toxic and can cause kidney failure, neurological damage, and death. Any product containing DEG should be reported to regulatory authorities and immediately discontinued.
Diethylene Glycol and trying to conceive
Not Recommended
- Fertility effects
Diethylene glycol is a prohibited toxic substance that poses serious health risks including potential reproductive toxicity. Animal studies have shown DEG causes developmental toxicity and adverse reproductive outcomes. Women trying to conceive should absolutely avoid DEG-containing products. The compound's systemic toxicity and potential effects on reproductive health make it completely unsuitable for use by anyone, particularly those planning pregnancy. Any product listing DEG as an ingredient should be reported to regulatory authorities.
Diethylene Glycol and PCOS
Not Recommended
Diethylene glycol is a prohibited toxic substance that poses serious health risks unrelated to PCOS. The compound is banned from cosmetics due to its systemic toxicity, including kidney damage and potential fatality. Women with PCOS should avoid DEG for the same reasons as the general population. The concern is not hormonal or PCOS-specific but rather the general toxicity of this banned substance. Any cosmetic product containing diethylene glycol is improperly formulated or contaminated and should not be used by anyone. Report such products to regulatory authorities.
Diethylene Glycol and general use
Not Recommended
- Carcinogen concern
- Irritant
Diethylene glycol (DEG) is a toxic industrial chemical that is PROHIBITED from use in cosmetics. It should never appear as an ingredient in properly manufactured cosmetic products. DEG is sometimes found as a contaminant when unscrupulous manufacturers substitute it for safe alternatives like propylene glycol to cut costs. DEG is highly toxic with well-documented health risks. According to the FDA, DEG has caused numerous mass poisoning incidents worldwide, including deaths, when improperly used in medications, toothpaste, and other consumer products. The compound causes acute kidney failure, neurological damage, metabolic acidosis, and can be fatal. While most documented cases involve oral ingestion, DEG can be absorbed through the skin, particularly with prolonged contact or application to large areas. The compound is also an irritant and may cause developmental toxicity. Diethylene glycol is explicitly prohibited in cosmetics under Annex II of the EU Cosmetics Regulation. The FDA considers DEG unacceptable for cosmetic use and has issued multiple warnings about contaminated products over the years. If you encounter a product listing diethylene glycol as an ingredient, do not use it and report it to regulatory authorities (FDA in the US, appropriate authority in your country). The presence of DEG indicates serious manufacturing violations or contamination. Safe alternatives include propylene glycol, butylene glycol, and glycerin.
Everything else flagged for the same profiles
Related ingredients
Ingredients suggested in place of Diethylene Glycol, each one with its own page here.
Ingredients that raise the same concerns.
Where this came from
Truva summarises published guidance from bodies including ACOG, the FDA, the EU SCCS and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review. It has no access to your medical history and it is not a substitute for your doctor, dermatologist or midwife. These assessments have not been reviewed by a clinician, and nothing here is a diagnosis or a prescription. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or being treated for PCOS, take the ingredient list to the person looking after you.
Assessment last pulled from the ingredient database on .
One ingredient is the easy case.
A label has thirty of them. Truva reads the whole list at once and answers for the profile you set: pregnancy, breastfeeding, postpartum, trying to conceive, PCOS, or general use.
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