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Hydroxybutyl Methylcellulose
AKA “Cellulose, hydroxybutyl methyl ether, RefChem:124312, Hydroxybutyl methyl cellulose”
Synthetic
Ingredient Facts
Hydroxybutyl methylcellulose
AKA: Hydroxybutyl methyl ether, RefChem:124312, Hydroxybutyl methyl cellulose
Synthetic · Emulsion Stabilising · EWG: 4
Plant-Derived Synthetic
Occlusive
Emulsifier
Synthetic
Clean
A plant-derived thickener that helps create a smooth, stable texture and protective layer on skin or hair. Keeps formulas from separating while ensuring even application.
Formula
C64H124O30
Mol. Weight
1373.60
CAS #
9041-56-9
Form
Powder
See origin →
Functions
Binding
Emulsion Stabilising
Forces oil and water to stay mixed instead of separating into layers. The unsung hero holding your lotion together.
Film Forming
Creates a physical seal on skin to lock moisture in and keep irritants out. The "slugging" ingredient — barrier protection.
Light Stabilizer
Viscosity Controlling
Shields from UV damage
Traditional Use
A semi-synthetic cellulose derivative developed in the 20th century as a film-forming, thickening, and stabilizing agent for cosmetics. Created to improve texture and performance of skincare and haircare formulations.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Melanin-Rich Skin
Suitable
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
EWG
4
CIR
Safe
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Regulatory Status
USA✔ permitted
EU⚠ restricted
JAPAN⚠ restricted
CANADA⚠ restricted
Evaluating the Impact of Cellulose Extraction via Traditional and Ionosolv Pretreatments from Domestic Matchstick Waste on the Properties of Carboxyme
Akhlaq M, Uroos M
ACS omega, 2023
→
Chitosan and Cellulose-Based Hydrogels for Wound Management.
Sibusiso Alven, Blessing Atim Aderibigbe
International journal of molecular sciences, 2020
→
Chitosan and Cellulose-Based Hydrogels for Wound Management.
Sibusiso Alven, Blessing Atim Aderibigbe
International journal of molecular sciences, 2020
→
Effect of hydration on the structure of non aqueous ethyl cellulose/propylene glycol dicaprylate gels.
Bruno L, Kasapis S, Heng PW
International journal of biological macromolecules, 2012
→
Final Amended Safety Assessment of Cellulose and Related Cellulose Polymers
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
→
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
→
Safety Assessment of Nitrocellulose and Collodion as Used in Cosmetics
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
→
Calcium Carboxymethyl Cellulose
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Carboxymethyl Cellulose Acetate Butyrate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Carboxymethyl Hydroxyethylcellulose
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Cellulose
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)
→
Cellulose Succinate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Ethylcellulose
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Hydrolyzed Cellulose Gum
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)
→
Hydroxypropylcellulose
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)
→
microcrystalline cellulose
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Nitrocellulose
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Potassium Cellulose Succinate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Sodium Cellulose Sulfate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Xylan-cellulose core structure of oat water-extractable β-glucan macromolecule: Insight into interactions and organization of the cell wall complex.
Cyran MR, Snochowska KK, Potrzebowski MJ, Kaźmierski S, Azadi P et al.
Carbohydrate polymers, 2024
→
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
→
Calcium Carboxymethyl Cellulose
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Carboxymethyl Cellulose Acetate Butyrate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Carboxymethyl Hydroxyethylcellulose
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Cellulose
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 Gum
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
→
Hydroxypropylcellulose
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
→
microcrystalline cellulose
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Nitrocellulose
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Biocompatible zinc oxide nanocrystals stabilized via hydroxyethyl cellulose for mitigation of diabetic complications.
Hussein J, El-Banna M, Razik TA, El-Naggar ME
International journal of biological macromolecules, 2018
→
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
→
Ethyl Cellulose and Hydroxypropyl Methyl Cellulose Blended Methotrexate-Loaded Transdermal Patches: In Vitro and Ex Vivo.
Latif MS, Azad AK, Nawaz A, Rashid SA, Rahman MH et al.
Polymers, 2021
→
The bioactive composite film prepared from bacterial cellulose and modified by hydrolyzed gelatin peptide.
Lin SB, Chen CC, Chen LC, Chen HH
Journal of biomaterials applications, 2015
→
Cellulose sulfate: tolerance and acceptability of penile application.
Mauck C, Frezieres R, Walsh T, Robergeau K, Callahan M
Contraception, 2001
→
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
→
Bacterial cellulose skin masks-Properties and sensory tests.
Pacheco G, de Mello CV, Chiari-Andréo BG, Isaac VLB, Ribeiro SJL et al.
Journal of cosmetic dermatology, 2018
→
Cellulose derivatives and natural gums as gelling agents for preparation of emulgel-based dosage forms: A brief review.
Raeisi Estabragh MA, Sajadi Bami M, Dehghannoudeh G, Noudeh YD, Moghimipour E
International journal of biological macromolecules, 2023
→
Microcrystalline cellulose: Isolation, characterization and bio-composites application-A review.
Trache D, Hussin MH, Hui Chuin CT, Sabar S, Fazita MR et al.
International journal of biological macromolecules, 2016
→
Mosquito bite prevention through self-assembled cellulose nanocrystals.
Voignac D, Sar-Shalom E, Paltiel Y, Shoseyov O, Bohbot J
PNAS nexus, 2023
→
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