Potassium Ethyl Ester of PVM/MA Copolymer
AKA “Potassium Ethylparaben, ethylparaben potassium, ETHYL P-HYDROXYBENZOATE POTASSIUM SALT, P-HYDROXYBENZOIC ACID ETHYL ESTER POTASSIUM SALT, BENZOIC ACID, ETHYL ESTER, POTASSIUM SALT (1:1)”
Synthetic
Ingredient Facts
Potassium ethyl ester of pvm/ma copolymer
AKA: Potassium Ethylparaben, Ethylparaben potassium, ETHYL P-HYDROXYBENZOATE POTASSIUM SALT, P-HYDROXYBENZOIC ACID ETHYL ESTER POTASSIUM SALT, BENZOIC ACID, POTASSIUM SALT (1:1)
Synthetic · Film Forming · EWG: 4
Synthetic
Occlusive
Chelating Agent
Synthetic
Clean
Potassium salt of ethyl ester of PVM/MA copolymer Science: Functions: Chelating Safety Ratings: CIR: Safe as used
Formula
C9H9KO3
Mol. Weight
204.26
CAS #
36457-19-9
Form
Liquid
State
Liquid
See origin →
Functions
Chelating
Grabs onto metal ions in water that would destabilize the formula. Keeps your product from going bad or changing color.
Film Forming
Creates a physical seal on skin to lock moisture in and keep irritants out. The "slugging" ingredient — barrier protection.
Viscosity Controlling
Removes Metal Ions
Binds metal ions
Traditional Use
A modern synthetic polymer created in the late 20th century for use as a film-former and styling agent in hair and skincare products. Designed to replace natural resins with improved stability and consistency.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Melanin-Rich Skin
Suitable
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
EWG
4
CIR
Insufficient
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Phototoxicity Concern
Concentration Guide
8.0%
0%11%
Reg. Limit
EU regulatory limit: 8.0%. 0,4% (as acid) for single ester 0,8% (as acid) for mixtures of esters Source: EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) 1223/2009, Annex V (Preservatives), Entry 12. Dermal absorption: 0.1%. Source: CIR Safety Assessment (CIR Seq 746).
Regulatory Agencies
RIFM fragrance ingredient safety assessment, pentanedioic acid, 1,5-dimethyl ester, CAS Registry Number 1119-40-0.
Api AM, Belsito D, Botelho D, Browne D, Bruze M et al.
Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association, 2018
Benzyl Alcohol, Benzoic Acid, Sodium Benzoate
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Benzyl Alcohol, Benzoic Acid, and Sodium Benzoate
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Ethyl Ester of PVM/MA Copolymer and Butyl Ester of PVM/MA Copolymer
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Safety Assessment of Benzyl Alcohol, Benzoic Acid and its Salts, and Benzyl Benzoate
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
4-Hydroxybenzoic acid rescues multisystemic disease and perinatal lethality in a mouse model of mitochondrial disease.
Corral-Sarasa J, Martínez-Gálvez JM, González-García P, Wendling O, Jiménez-Sánchez L et al.
Cell reports, 2024
4-Hydroxybenzoic Acid
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Ethyl Ester of PVM/MA Copolymer
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Potassium Ethyl Ester of PVM/MA Copolymer
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Potassium Ethylparaben
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Shea Butter Ethyl Esters
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Silybum marianum ethyl ester
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Benzoic acid and its derivatives as naturally occurring compounds in foods and as additives: Uses, exposure, and controversy.
Del Olmo A, Calzada J, Nuñez M
Critical reviews in food science and nutrition, 2017
Benzoic acid and its derivatives as naturally occurring compounds in foods and as additives: Uses, exposure, and controversy.
Del Olmo A, Calzada J, Nuñez M
Critical reviews in food science and nutrition, 2017
Benzoic acid and its derivatives as naturally occurring compounds in foods and as additives: Uses, exposure, and controversy.
Del Olmo A, Calzada J, Nuñez M
Critical reviews in food science and nutrition, 2017
4-Hydroxybenzoic Acid
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Benzoic Acid
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Ethyl Ester of PVM/MA Copolymer
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Shea Butter Ethyl Esters
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Detection of fatty acid ethyl esters in skin surface lipids as biomarkers of ethanol consumption in alcoholics, social drinkers, light drinkers, and t
González-Illán F, Ojeda-Torres G, Díaz-Vázquez LM, Rosario O
Journal of analytical toxicology, 2011
3-Imidazol-4-ylacrylic acid and its ethyl ester
Health Canada
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
Synthesis of mixed esters of ascorbic acid using methyl esters of palm and soybean oils.
Hsieh HJ, Chen JW, Giridhar R, Wu WT
Preparative biochemistry & biotechnology, 2005
Safety Assessment of Benzyl Alcohol, Benzoic Acid and its...
Wilbur Johnson, Wilma F Bergfeld, Donald V Belsito, Ronald A Hill, Curtis D Klaassen, Daniel C Liebler + 5 more
International journal of toxicology, 2017
Safety Assessment of Benzyl Alcohol, Benzoic Acid and its...
Wilbur Johnson, Wilma F Bergfeld, Donald V Belsito, Ronald A Hill, Curtis D Klaassen, Daniel C Liebler + 5 more
International journal of toxicology, 2017
Verified Feb 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR