Polyethylene
AKA “Polyethene, Low-Density Polyethylene, High-Density Polyethylene”
Synthetic
Ingredient Facts
Polyethylene
AKA: Polyethene, Low-Density Polyethylene, High-Density Polyethylene
Synthetic · Film Forming · EWG: 1
Synthetic
Occlusive
Synthetic
Clean
Gentle exfoliating beads that help smooth skin texture and create a lightweight, protective layer on the skin's surface.
CAS #
9002-88-4
Form
Powder
See origin →
Functions
Abrasive
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
Strengthens Barrier
Gently polishes surface
Creates protective layer
Controls product thickness
Traditional Use
Synthesized in 1933 by accident at Imperial Chemical Industries. Adopted in cosmetics in the 1960s-1970s as a thickening agent, film-former, and microbeads for exfoliating products (now restricted in many countries).
Skin Types
●all-skin-types, gentle
Best For
Uneven Texture
Melanin-Rich Skin
Suitable
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
Comfort Level Lip Mask
Credo Beauty
Deluxe Baby Cheeks Blush Stick - Bichette
Westman Atelier
Petite Petal Edition
Westman Atelier
Lit Up Highlight Stick - Pärla
Westman Atelier
Lit Up Highlight Stick - Garçonne
Westman Atelier
Deluxe Baby Cheeks Blush Stick
Westman Atelier
Lit Up Highlight Stick - Biscuit
Westman Atelier
Lit Up Highlight Stick - Nectar
Westman Atelier
Lit Up Highlight Stick - Brûlée
Westman Atelier
Lit Up Highlight Stick - Lit
Westman Atelier
Face Trace Contour Stick - Truffle
Westman Atelier
Face Trace Contour Stick - Biscuit
Westman Atelier
Face Trace Contour Stick - Ganache
Westman Atelier
Vital Skin Foundation Stick - Atelier 0
Westman Atelier
Baby Cheeks Blush Stick - Chouchette
Westman Atelier
Baby Cheeks Blush Stick - Bichette
Westman Atelier
Baby Cheeks Blush Stick - Garçonne
Westman Atelier
Baby Cheeks Blush Stick - Coquette
Westman Atelier
Cruise Liner Eye Pencil
Gen See
Arch Support Brow Powder Gel
Gen See
Pick Me Up Lip Matte Lipstick
Gen See
Clean Sheen Cheek + Lip Color
Gen See
Clean Line Gel Liner
ILIA Beauty
In Full Micro-Tip Brow Pencil
ILIA Beauty
Skin Rewind Complexion Stick
ILIA Beauty
Autograph Matte Lipstick
Finding Ferdinand
Barely There Sheer Lipstick
Finding Ferdinand
Custom Blush
Finding Ferdinand
Custom Lip Gloss
Finding Ferdinand
Delicious Balms
Finding Ferdinand
Morphosis Balms
Finding Ferdinand
Photoshoot Red
Finding Ferdinand
Tender Blush
Finding Ferdinand
Delicate Gloss
Finding Ferdinand
Final Report of the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel Amended Safety Assessment of Triethylene Glycol and Polyethylene glycols (PEGs)-4, -6, -7, -8, -9, -10, -12, -14, -16, -18, -20, -32, -33, -
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of PEG (Polyethylene Glycol)-2, -4, -6, -8, -12, -20, -32, -75 and -150 Dilaurate; PEG-2, -4, -6, -8, -9, -10, -12, -14, -20, -32, -75, -150, and -200 Laurate; an
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Polyethylene
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Polyethylene Glycols (PEGs) -6, -8, -32, -75, -150, -14M, -20M
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Verified Feb 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR