Is Polyethylene safe in cosmetics?
Polyethylene has a safety rating of "GOOD" in our database. EU status: restricted. US status: permitted.
Polyethylene
Also known as: Polyethylene AS, EC No.: 618-339-3, EC No.: 917-601-7, EC No.: 919-651-5, EC No.: 923-679-3 (+13 more)
INCI: POLYETHYLENE
Polyethylene (CAS 9002-88-4) is a cosmetic cosmetic ingredient functioning as Synthetic wax; mascara binding agent; controlled rheology agent; higher melting. EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: restricted, max 0.01% w/w. Industrial safety data is also available in the chemical safety database. Same-CAS public records also appear in industrial chemical safety, pharmaceutical, and food safety data.
View industrial chemical safety profile for CAS 9002-88-4 →
Auto-generated CPSR Part A draft with source citations
Function
Synthetic wax; mascara binding agent; controlled rheology agent; higher melting point and batch-to-batch consistency versus natural waxes
Safety Rating
GOOD
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
restricted
EU Max Conc.
0.01% w/w
US US Status
permitted
US Notes
Subject to ECHA microplastics restriction assessment depending on particle form — solid polyethylene particles ≥1 µm potentially restricted under EU Regulation 2023/2055
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Polyethylene.
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
GHS Hazard Classification
Globally Harmonized System classification per ECHA C&L inventory and ILO/WHO International Chemical Safety Cards.
IARC Carcinogenicity
International Agency for Research on Cancer (WHO) monograph evaluation.
IARC Group
3
Volume
19, Sup 7
Evaluation Year
1987
Additional Ingredient Properties
3 property records from structured ingredient metadata.
comedogenicity_detail
{"comedogenicity_rating": "0", "irritancy_rating": "0", "skin_type_suitability": "all,oily,combination,normal,acne-prone", "acne_safe": "yes", "source": "Synthetic wax"}
exfoliant
{"cas_number": "9002-88-4", "ingredient_class": "physical_exfoliant", "chemical_subclass": "other", "penetration_depth": "stratum_corneum (surface)", "mechanism_of_action": "corneocyte_shedding", "photosensitizing": "no", "EU_cosmetics_max_concentration_pct": "BANNED (rinse-off since 2018)", "FDA_status": "BANNED (Microbead-Free Waters Act 2015)", "contraindications": "environmental pollution", "t…
polymer
{"cas_number": "9002-88-4", "ingredient_class": "texture_modifier/opacifier", "polymer_type": "synthetic_homopolymer", "chemical_backbone": "ethylene", "molecular_weight_Da_range": "1000-100000", "crystallinity_pct": "60-80", "ionic_character": "nonionic", "pH_viscosity_sensitivity": "moderate", "salt_tolerance": "moderate", "electrolyte_effect_on_viscosity": "moderate", "temperature_viscosity_sen…
Function Categories & List Membership
Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
Abrasive
Adhesion/cohesion promoter
Anti-adhesive/cohesive
Anti-slip agent
Anti-static agent
Antioxidant
Binder
Chelating agent
Conductive agent
Crystal growth modifiers (nucleating agents)
Regulatory List Membership (2)
IFRA Fragrance Transparency List
FDA Substances Added to Food (EAFUS)
Expert Verdict
Expert safety assessment and concern-level summary for Polyethylene.
Regulatory Flags
wax
synthetic
water-resistant
mascara
microplastic-check-required
echa-microplastics
ifra_fragrance
fda_food_additive
Known Synonyms
Polyethylene AS
EC No.: 618-339-3
EC No.: 917-601-7
EC No.: 919-651-5
EC No.: 923-679-3
EC No.: 926-220-5
EC No.: 929-000-7
Aldyl A
Alithon 7050
Alkathene
Bakelite DFD 330
Bareco wax C 7500
Carlona PXB
Courlene-X3
Epolene E
UNII-UG00KM4WR7
Polyethylene, high density
UNII-J245LN42AI
Chemical Function
Viscosity modifier
Film former
Thickening agent
Surface modifier
Abrasive
Binder
Filler
Adhesion/cohesion promoter
Regulatory Lists
Europe; Toys and children's products
Europe; Toys and children's products
Europe; Toys and children's products
Food contact items
inert_ingredient; Pesticides
inert_ingredient; Pesticides
inert_ingredient; non_food_use; Pesticides
Europe; Personal care - make-up and related
food_additive; Substances Added to Food (formerly EAFUS) (2/2019)
IFRA Transparency
drinking_water; Europe; manufacturing; plastic_additive
Europe; Toys and children's products
Australian Status
AICIS status: listed
Cross-Vertical Safety Context
Same-CAS public records found in pharmaceutical and food safety data.
SOURCE
ChEMBL / DrugCentral / FAERS
DB_PHARMA count match
Pharmaceutical Data
Same-CAS rows from the pharmaceutical spoke database.
Adverse Event Associations
112
SOURCE
EFSA / FDA GRAS
food_additives
Food Safety Data
Same-CAS food additive or FDA GRAS records from the core public database.
Food Name
POLYETHYLENE (M W 2,000-21,000)
Food Category
food_additive
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Polyethylene allowed in the EU?
Polyethylene EU regulatory status: restricted. Maximum allowed concentration: 0.01% w/w. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Polyethylene do in cosmetics?
Polyethylene functions as: Synthetic wax; mascara binding agent; controlled rheology agent; higher melting point and batch-to-batch consistency versus natural waxes. It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 9002-88-4.
Is Polyethylene used outside cosmetics?
Polyethylene also appears in industrial chemical safety, pharmaceutical, and food safety data. The cross-vertical cards on this page render same-CAS public rows from the matched databases.
Compliance Tools
Check Polyethylene 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
Polyethylene Wax
Good
Same category
Synthetic wax; mascara binding agent;...
(AGARICUS BLAZEI FERMENT + GANODERMA LUCIDUM FERMENT + GANODERMA MULTIPILEUM FERMENT) EXTRACT
Good
Similar safety
Anti-sebum, Antioxidant, Skin Protecting
(ANGELICA ACUTILOBA/PAEONIA LACTIFLORA/REHMANNIA GLUTINOSA) ROOT/CNIDIUM OFFICINALE RHIZOME EXTRACT
Good
Similar safety
Skin Conditioning, Skin Conditioning ...
(ANGELICA ACUTILOBA/PAEONIA LACTIFLORA/REHMANNIA GLUTINOSA/SCUTELLARIA BAICALENSIS) ROOT/(CNIDIUM OFFICINALE/COPTIS CHINENSIS) RHIZOME/GARDENIA JASMINOIDES FRUIT/PHELLODENDRON CHINENSE BARK EXTRACT
Good
Similar safety
(ANGELICA GIGAS/GLYCYRRHIZA URALENSIS/REHMANNIA GLUTINOSA ROOT)/ANGELICA GIGAS STEM/CARTHAMUS TINCTORIUS FLOWER/(CARTHAMUS TINCTORIUS/PRUNUS PERSICA SEED)PORIA COCOS WATER
Good
Similar safety
Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Pr...
(ANGELICA KEISKEI/CHRYSANTHEMUM ZAWADSKII) LEAF/STEM/CINNAMOMUM CASSIA BARK/TRICHOSANTES KIRILOWII FRUIT/ULMUS DAVIDIANA BARK/ROOT/(PAEONIA JAPONICA/BUPLEURUM FALCATUM/POLYGALA TENUIFOLIA ROOT)/VISCUS ALBUM STEM EXTRACT
Good
Similar safety
Anti-seborrheic, Anti-sebum, Antioxid...
(APPLE/CITRUS JUNOS/LENTIL/PEAR/PUMPKIN/STRAWBERRY/TOMATO FRUIT)/CORN KERNEL/(ARCTIUM LAPPA/BRASSICA OLERACEA ACEPHALA/CABBAGE/CAMELLIA SINENSIS/MORINGA OLEIFERA/RADISH/SPINACH LEAF)/(SORGHUM BICOLOR LEAF/STEM)/OAT MEAL/POTATO PULP/(CARROT/NELUMBO NUCIFERA/RADISH/WILD YAM ROOT)/(AMARANTHUS HYPOCHONDRIACUS/CASHEW/CICER ARIETINUM/COIX LACRYMA-JOBI MA-YUEN /MACADAMIA TERNIFOLIA/PHASEOLUS ANGULARIS/PISTACIA VERA/RHYNCHOSIA NULUBILIS/RICE/SESAME/SETARIA ITALICA/SOYBEAN/SWEET ALMOND/WHEAT SEED)/HORDEUM VULGARE SPROUT/CYPERUS ESCULENTUS TUBER/ARTEMISIA PRINCEPS/BROCCOLI/CHENOPODIUM QUINOA/ENTEROMORPHA COMPRESSA/HORDEUM VULGARE/IPOMOEA BATATAS/LAMINARIA JAPONICA/LENTINUS EDODES/PLEUROTUS OSTREATUS/PORPHYRA TENERA/UNDARIA PINNATIFIDA EXTRACT
Good
Similar safety
Antioxidant
Agar
Excellent
Chemical family
Binder, Thickening Agent, Gelling Age...
Laureth-10
Good
Chemical family
Emulsifier; surfactant; solubilizer
Laureth-100
Good
Chemical family
Emulsifier; surfactant; thickener/rhe...
Laureth-11
Good
Chemical family
Emulsifier; surfactant
POLY 1,2-BUTANEDIOL-6 PROPYLENE GLYCOL
Good
Browse nearby
Solvent
POLY METHYL STYRENE ISOPROPANOL KETONE
Good
Browse nearby
Light Stabilizer
POLY(1-4 BUTANEDIOL)-27
Good
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Not Reported
POLYCHLOROTRIFLUOROETHYLENE
Good
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Film Forming, Skin Conditioning
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