Ethylcellulose
AKA “Aquacoat, Surelease, Ethyl celluloseEC, Ethyl cellulose viscosity 20cP, DA-63306”
Synthetic
Ingredient Facts
Ethylcellulose
AKA: Aquacoat, Surelease, Ethyl celluloseEC, Ethyl cellulose viscosity 20cP, DA-63306
Synthetic · Film Forming · EWG: 4
Plant-Derived Synthetic
Occlusive
Synthetic
Clean
A natural plant-derived ingredient that helps create a smooth, even texture and keeps formulas stable. It forms a protective layer on skin or hair.
Formula
C20H38O11
Mol. Weight
454.5
CAS #
9004-57-3
Form
Powder
See origin →
Functions
Binding
Film Forming
Creates a physical seal on skin to lock moisture in and keep irritants out. The "slugging" ingredient — barrier protection.
Viscosity Controlling
Moisturizing
Locks in moisture to keep skin soft and supple throughout the day
Wound Healing
Improves Elasticity
Creates protective layer
Holds ingredients together
Controls product thickness
Traditional Use
Developed in the early 20th century as a cellulose derivative. Used in cosmetics as a film-former and thickening agent in haircare products, masques, and waterproof formulations.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Melanin-Rich Skin
Suitable
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Hydroxyethylcellulose, Hydroxypropylcellulose, Methylcellulose, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, and Cellulose Gum
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Carboxymethyl Hydroxyethylcellulose
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Ethylcellulose
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Hydroxybutyl Methylcellulose
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Hydroxyethyl Ethylcellulose
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Hydroxyethylcellulose
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Hydroxyethylcellulose/Phosphorylcholine Glycol Acrylate Copolymer
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Acetate/Succinate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Methyl Ethylcellulose
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Methyl Hydroxyethylcellulose
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Methylcellulose (4000 cps)
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 Hydroxyethylcellulose
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Ethylcellulose
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Hydroxyethyl Ethylcellulose
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Methyl Hydroxyethylcellulose
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Methylcellulose
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Effects of ethylcellulose and 2-octyldodecanol additives on skin permeation and irritation with ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer matrix patches contai
Kakubari I, Sasaki H, Takayasu T, Yamauchi H, Takayama S et al.
Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin, 2006
Elucidating the in vivo fate of pharmaceutical excipient sodium carboxymethylcellulose in rats using UHPLC- Q TRAP MS/MS and UHPLC- Q TOF MS/MS approa
Yang N, Liu J, Mu K, Liang A, Yin G et al.
Bioanalysis, 2026
Electrospun chitosan//ethylcellulose-vitamin E//ethylcellulose-curcumin tri-chamber eccentric Janus nanofibers for a joint antibacterial and antioxida
Zhang Z, Xia Y, Gong W, Zhou J, Yu DG et al.
International journal of biological macromolecules, 2024
Verified Feb 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR