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Cosmetics & Personal Care Research

Images of 1,4-Dioxane

1,4-Dioxane is a clear, water-soluble liquid mainly used as a solvent in chemical manufacturing and as a lab reagent (National Center for Biotechnology Information, 2025).

1,4-Dioxane is found as a trace contaminant in some cosmetic, detergent, and shampoo chemicals, but manufacturers now minimize its presence in finished household products.(American Chemical Society, 2019).

References

American Chemical Society. (2019). Molecule of the week archive 1,4-Dioxane. American Chemical Society. https://www.acs.org/molecule-of-the-week/archive/d/dioxane.html

Balwierz, R., Biernat, P., Jasińska-Balwierz, A., Siodłak, D., Kusakiewicz-Dawid, A., Kurek-Górecka, A., Olczyk, P., & Ochędzan-Siodłak, W. (2023). Potential Carcinogens in Makeup Cosmetics. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(6), 4780. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20064780

Centers for Disease Control. (2015, June 18). Public health statement for 1,4-dioxane. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. https://wwwn.cdc.gov/TSP/PHS/PHS.aspx?phsid=953&toxid=199

Environmental Protection Agency. (2024, November 13). Risk evaluation for 1,4-dioxane. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. http://Risk Evaluation for 1,4-Dioxane

National Center for Biotechnology Information. (2025). PubChem compound summary for CID 31275, 1,4-Dioxane. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/1_4-Dioxane

Ramos, P. R. (2023). Dioxane in consumer products: Is the guidance changing? Reading Scientific Services Ltd. https://www.rssl.com/insights/food-consumer-goods/dioxane-in-consumer-products-is-the-guidance-changing

Sze-Huey Sang, Sue-Kei Lee, Jing-Wen Keng, Heng-Chee Lim, Farrukh, M. J., Chung-Keat Tan, Kai Bin Liew, Siew-Keah Lee, & Yik-Ling Chew. (2023). A review on synthetic shampoo ingredients and their adverse health effects. Current Trends in Biotechnology & Pharmacy, 17, 50-60. https://doi.org/10.5530/ctbp.2023.4s.90

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2022, March 3). 1,4-Dioxane in cosmetics: A manufacturing byproduct. https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/potential-contaminants-cosmetics/14-dioxane-cosmetics-manufacturing-byproduct