Polyvinyl Alcohol
A cosmetic ingredient used as film forming, viscosity controlling in skincare, haircare, and personal-care products sold in the European Union.
What is it?
Ethenol, homopolymer
What does it do?
Polyvinyl Alcohol is listed in the EU cosmetic ingredient inventory with the following declared functions:
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Film forming
forms a thin continuous film on skin, hair, or nails — used in long-wear makeup, sunscreens, and hairsprays
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Viscosity controlling
adjusts the thickness or flow of a formulation
EU regulatory status
Polyvinyl Alcohol is allowed for use in cosmetic products in the European Union under Regulation 1223/2009. It is not subject to a specific Annex restriction at the time of writing.
Frequently asked questions
What is Polyvinyl Alcohol?
Polyvinyl Alcohol is a cosmetic ingredient catalogued in the EU CosIng database. Ethenol, homopolymer
Is Polyvinyl Alcohol allowed in cosmetics in the EU?
Yes. Polyvinyl Alcohol is allowed for use in cosmetic products in the EU under Regulation 1223/2009.
What does Polyvinyl Alcohol do in cosmetic products?
Polyvinyl Alcohol is declared in the EU cosmetic ingredient inventory with these functions: film forming, viscosity controlling.
What is the CAS number of Polyvinyl Alcohol?
The CAS (Chemical Abstracts Service) number for Polyvinyl Alcohol is 9002-89-5 / 25213-24-5.
Related ingredients
Source: EU CosIng database (European Commission). This page is derived from public-sector information published by the European Commission. · Last updated: 15/10/2010