Polyester-7 ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is a synthetic film-forming polymer used to improve wear, water resistance, flexibility, and adhesion in sunscreens, makeup, and hair products.
What does Polyester-7 do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is a synthetic film-forming polymer used to improve wear, water resistance, flexibility, and adhesion in sunscreens, makeup, and hair products.
Is Polyester-7 clean?
From a clean-beauty perspective, it carries friction because it is a synthetic polymer rather than a skin-nutritive or readily biodegradable material. It is generally low in direct irritation, but some clean standards flag persistent synthetic film formers and microplastic-related polymers.
Is Polyester-7 sustainable?
This material is typically petrochemical-derived and is not considered readily biodegradable. Its main sustainability concern is environmental persistence after rinse-off or product removal, especially in formats that enter wastewater.
Is Polyester-7 COSMOS-approved?
It is not permitted under COSMOS-natural or COSMOS-organic standards as a conventional synthetic polymer. Its Green Chemistry alignment is weak because it relies on nonrenewable feedstocks and has limited biodegradability, even though it can help improve formula durability at relatively low use levels.
How does Polyester-7 work chemically?
The molecule is a high-molecular-weight synthetic polyester resin made by condensation chemistry, giving it flexible film-forming behavior rather than classic surfactant or preservative activity. It is commonly used in low single-digit to about 10% ranges depending on format, and it is generally stable across typical cosmetic pH conditions when properly dispersed in compatible oil, ester, or solvent systems.
Last updated 2026-05-13