Cellulose Acetate
AKA “Cellulose ethanoate”
Synthetic
Ingredient Facts
Cellulose acetate
AKA: Cellulose ethanoate
Synthetic · Film Forming · EWG: 1
Plant-Derived Synthetic
Occlusive
Skin Conditioner
Synthetic
Clean
Creates a protective layer on skin or hair to help products stay in place and maintain their effect throughout the day.
CAS #
9004-35-7
Form
Powder
See origin →
Functions
Film Forming
Creates a physical seal on skin to lock moisture in and keep irritants out. The "slugging" ingredient — barrier protection.
Viscosity Controlling
Occlusive
Creates a physical seal on skin to lock moisture in and keep irritants out. The "slugging" ingredient — barrier protection.
Smoothing
Creates Protective Barrier
Anti-Aging Benefits
Antioxidant Protection
Locks In Moisture
Traditional Use
A semi-synthetic polymer derived from cellulose, developed in the early 20th century. Originally used in film and textiles, later adopted by the cosmetics industry as a film-forming and thickening agent for nail lacquers and skincare products.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types, gentle
Best For
General
Melanin-Rich Skin
Suitable
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
Carboxymethyl Cellulose Acetate Butyrate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Cellulose Acetate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Cellulose Acetate Butyrate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Cellulose Acetate Propionate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Cellulose Acetate Propionate Carboxylate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Acetate/Succinate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Developing a stable aqueous enteric coating formulation with hydroxypropyl methylcellulose acetate succinate (HPMCAS-MF) and colloidal silicon dioxide
Deshpande TM, Quadir A, Obara S, Ibrahim A, Hoag SW
International journal of pharmaceutics, 2018
Carboxymethyl Cellulose Acetate Butyrate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Cellulose Acetate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Cellulose Acetate Butyrate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Cellulose Acetate Propionate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Cellulose Acetate-Based Wound Dressings Loaded with Bioactive Agents: Potential Scaffolds for Wound Dressing and Skin Regeneration.
Ndlovu SP, Alven S, Hlalisa K, Aderibigbe BA
Current drug delivery, 2024
Verified Feb 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR