Is Hydroxypropyl Cellulose safe in cosmetics?
Hydroxypropyl Cellulose has a safety rating of "EXCELLENT" in our database. EU status: permitted. US status: permitted.
Excellent
Cosmetic Ingredient
Hydroxypropyl Cellulose
Also known as: Hydroxypropylcellulose of low substitution, Hyprolosum, UNII-RFW2ET671P, UNII-2165RE0K14, UNII-5Y0974F5PW (+5 more)
INCI: HYDROXYPROPYL CELLULOSE
Hydroxypropyl Cellulose (CAS 9004-64-2) is a cosmetic cosmetic ingredient functioning as Thickener, Film Former, Binder, Stabilizer, Emulsion Stabilizer. EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: permitted. Industrial safety data is also available in the chemical safety database.
View industrial chemical safety profile for CAS 9004-64-2 →
Auto-generated CPSR Part A draft with source citations
Function
Thickener, Film Former, Binder, Stabilizer, Emulsion Stabilizer
Safety Rating
EXCELLENT
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
permitted
US US Status
permitted
US Notes
GRAS-adjacent; long history in food, pharma, and cosmetics; WHO acceptable daily intake up to 1500 mg/kg bw; not restricted in cosmetics
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Hydroxypropyl Cellulose.
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
Function Categories & List Membership
Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
Binder
Emulsifier
Filler
Film former
Processing aids not otherwise specified
Stabilizing agent
Thickening agent
Viscosity modifier
Regulatory List Membership (2)
EPA Safer Chemical Ingredients List (SCIL)
FDA Substances Added to Food (EAFUS)
Expert Verdict
Expert safety assessment and concern-level summary for Hydroxypropyl Cellulose.
Regulatory Flags
thickener
film-forming
cellulose
plant-derived
GRAS-adjacent
epa_safer_alternative
fda_food_additive
jecfa_safe
Known Synonyms
Hydroxypropylcellulose of low substitution
Hyprolosum
UNII-RFW2ET671P
UNII-2165RE0K14
UNII-5Y0974F5PW
UNII-66O7AQV0RT
UNII-8VAB711C5E
UNII-U3JF91U133
UNII-UKE75GEA7F
UNII-VQ8ZWO78F6
Chemical Function
Filler
Film former
Emulsifier
Viscosity modifier
Binder
Stabilizing agent
Regulatory Lists
inert_ingredient; Pesticides
inert_ingredient; non_food_use; Pesticides
drinking_water; Europe; manufacturing; plastic_additive
food_additive; Substances Added to Food (formerly EAFUS) (2/2019)
SCIL (9/2019)
Canada; pharmaceutical
Australian Status
AICIS status: listed
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hydroxypropyl Cellulose allowed in the EU?
Hydroxypropyl Cellulose EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Hydroxypropyl Cellulose do in cosmetics?
Hydroxypropyl Cellulose functions as: Thickener, Film Former, Binder, Stabilizer, Emulsion Stabilizer. It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 9004-64-2.
Compliance Tools
Check Hydroxypropyl Cellulose compliance across multiple jurisdictions:
Ingredient Decoder
Paste a full ingredient list for instant analysis
82 Allergen Checker
Check for EU declarable fragrance allergens
Substance Compliance
Check compliance across multiple jurisdictions
MoS Calculator
Calculate Margin of Safety using SCCS methodology
Heavy Metal Limits
Compare limits across jurisdictions
Related Ingredients
Guar Gum Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Good
Same category
Hair conditioning, antistatic, skin c...
Disteareth-75 IPDI
Moderate
Same category
Viscosity controlling agent
Ethylene Dioleamide
Moderate
Same category
Viscosity Controlling
1-Methylhydantoin-2-imide (Creatinine)
Excellent
Similar safety
Skin conditioning (skin brightening/l...
2,6-Dimethyl-7-octen-2-ol (Dihydromyrcenol)
Excellent
Similar safety
Fragrance (perfuming), masking
2-Ethoxy-2,6,6-Trimethyl-9-Methylenebicyclo[3.3.1]Nonane (Boisiris™)
Excellent
Similar safety
Fragrance (rich woody, orris/iris roo...
2-Hydroxypropylcarbamato Amodimethicone
Excellent
Similar safety
Hair conditioning; modified aminosili...
2-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Excellent
Similar safety
Softener and conditioner
3 O Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Excellent
Similar safety
Antioxidant; tyrosinase inhibitor; me...
C12-13 Alkyl Glyceryl Hydrolyzed Hyaluronate
Good
Chemical family
Skin conditioning, humectant, moistur...
CETETH-10
Good
Chemical family
Surfactant - Cleansing, Surfactant - ...
CETETH-2
Good
Chemical family
Surfactant - Emulsifying
Capixyl (Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3, Trifolium Pratense Extract)
Good
Chemical family
Antioxidant
HYDRASTIS CANADENSIS EXTRACT
Good
Browse nearby
Fragrance, Skin Conditioning
HYDRATROPIC ALDEHYDE
Good
Browse nearby
Perfuming
Is Hydroxypropyl Cellulose in Your Products?
Scan any product label with Piro — our free ingredient scanner. Point your camera at the ingredients list and get instant safety scores for every ingredient.
Try Piro Free →Analyze Your Full Ingredient List
Paste any INCI list into the Decoder for instant safety analysis, or calculate the Margin of Safety for Hydroxypropyl Cellulose in your formulation.