Polyethylene ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is a synthetic structuring and film-forming polymer used to add slip, bind powders, thicken anhydrous systems, and, historically, provide scrub particles.
What does Polyethylene do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is a synthetic structuring and film-forming polymer used to add slip, bind powders, thicken anhydrous systems, and, historically, provide scrub particles.
Is Polyethylene clean?
From a clean beauty perspective, it has significant friction because many standards restrict or exclude persistent solid synthetic polymers, especially when present as small particles. Skin irritation is generally low, but the main concern is environmental persistence rather than direct skin tolerance.
Is Polyethylene sustainable?
This material is typically petroleum-derived and is not readily biodegradable. When used as fine particles or rinse-off scrub media, it can contribute to long-lived solid polymer residue in waterways.
Is Polyethylene COSMOS-approved?
It is not aligned with COSMOS-natural or COSMOS-organic expectations because it is a petrochemical synthetic polymer with poor biodegradability. Its Green Chemistry profile is weak due to fossil feedstock dependence and environmental persistence.
How does Polyethylene work chemically?
The molecule is a high-molecular-weight, saturated hydrocarbon chain made from repeating two-carbon units, which makes it chemically inert, water-insoluble, and stable across normal cosmetic pH ranges. It is commonly used as powders, waxes, or beads at low single-digit to roughly 10% levels depending on whether the goal is texture, binding, or abrasion, and incorporation often requires good dispersion or heat.
Last updated 2026-05-13