Is Polyhydroxyethylmethacrylate (pHEMA) safe in cosmetics?
Polyhydroxyethylmethacrylate (pHEMA) has a safety rating of "GOOD" in our database. EU status: permitted. US status: permitted.
GOOD
Cosmetic Ingredient
Polyhydroxyethylmethacrylate (pHEMA)
INCI: POLYHYDROXYETHYLMETHACRYLATE
Polyhydroxyethylmethacrylate (pHEMA) (CAS 25249-16-5 (polymer)) is a cosmetic cosmetic ingredient functioning as Film Forming. EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: permitted. Industrial safety data is also available in the chemical safety database.
View industrial chemical safety profile for CAS 25249-16-5 (polymer) →
Function
Film Forming
Editorial assessment
GOOD
Preliminary editorial note — not a computed safety verdict.
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
permitted
US US Status
permitted
US Notes
FDA has extensively evaluated pHEMA for medical devices (contact lenses, IOLs, dermal fillers); systemic exposure from cosmetic use is far lower than approved device exposures
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Polyhydroxyethylmethacrylate (pHEMA).
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
Editorial summary
Preliminary editorial summary for Polyhydroxyethylmethacrylate (pHEMA) — not a computed safety verdict. See the sourced toxicological data above.
Regulatory Flags
potential-allergen
natural-origin
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Polyhydroxyethylmethacrylate (pHEMA) allowed in the EU?
Polyhydroxyethylmethacrylate (pHEMA) EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Polyhydroxyethylmethacrylate (pHEMA) do in cosmetics?
Polyhydroxyethylmethacrylate (pHEMA) functions as: Film Forming. It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 25249-16-5 (polymer).
Compliance Tools
Check Polyhydroxyethylmethacrylate (pHEMA) compliance across multiple jurisdictions:
Ingredient Decoder
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82 Allergen Checker
Check for EU declarable fragrance allergens
Substance Compliance
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MoS Calculator
Calculate Margin of Safety using SCCS methodology
Heavy Metal Limits
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