Is Polyvinyl Alcohol safe in cosmetics?
Polyvinyl Alcohol has a safety rating of "EXCELLENT" in our database. EU status: permitted. US status: permitted.
Polyvinyl Alcohol
Also known as: Ethenol, homopolymer, Alcotex 88/05, Alcotex 88/10, Alkotex, Galvatol 1-60 (+15 more)
INCI: POLYVINYL ALCOHOL
Polyvinyl Alcohol (CAS 9002-89-5) is a cosmetic cosmetic ingredient functioning as Film forming, Viscosity controlling. EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: permitted. Industrial safety data is also available in the chemical safety database. Same-CAS public records also appear in pharmaceutical data.
View industrial chemical safety profile for CAS 9002-89-5 →
Auto-generated CPSR Part A draft with source citations
Function
Film forming, Viscosity controlling
Safety Rating
EXCELLENT
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
permitted
US US Status
permitted
US Notes
CIR Expert Panel concluded safe as used in cosmetic formulations. Reaffirmed without reopening in 2014 and 2017. FDA approved for ophthalmic use and as excipient. VCRP reports 212+ uses at concentrations up to 15%.
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Polyvinyl Alcohol.
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.
Short-term Exposure Effects
May cause mechanical irritation.
IARC Carcinogenicity
International Agency for Research on Cancer (WHO) monograph evaluation.
IARC Group
3
Volume
19, Sup 7
Evaluation Year
1987
Additional Ingredient Properties
4 property records from structured ingredient metadata.
ecotoxicity
{"biodegradable": "partial", "biodegradation_days": "120-240", "bioaccumulative": "no", "aquatic_toxicity_level": "low", "coral_reef_safe": "unknown", "marine_toxicity": "low aquatic toxicity", "freshwater_toxicity": "moderate persistence", "endocrine_disruptor": "no", "persistent_organic_pollutant": "no", "microplastic": "no", "nano_particle": "no", "hawaii_banned": "no", "eu_restricted_environme…
polymer
{"cas_number": "9002-89-5", "ingredient_class": "film_former/emulsion_stabilizer", "polymer_type": "synthetic_homopolymer", "chemical_backbone": "vinyl_alcohol", "molecular_weight_Da_range": "20000-200000", "ionic_character": "nonionic", "pH_viscosity_sensitivity": "moderate", "salt_tolerance": "moderate", "electrolyte_effect_on_viscosity": "moderate", "temperature_viscosity_sensitivity": "moderat…
sensory
{"silky": "gel-like", "smooth, glides easily": "smooth, peel-off", "dry-touch, non-greasy": "clean, smooth", "instant": "moderate", "low": "high", "w/o": "o/w", "very-high": "low", "no": "no", "yes": "yes", "1.40": "1.52", "transparent": "transparent", "colorless": "colorless", "excellent": "poor", "light": "light", "synthetic": "synthetic"}
solubility_hlb
{"water_soluble": "yes", "oil_soluble": "no", "soluble_in": "water, glycerin", "insoluble_in": "oils, ethanol, silicones, propylene glycol", "log_p": "-2.9", "melting_point_c": "228", "appearance": "white powder", "source": "Kuraray"}
Function Categories & List Membership
Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
Adhesion/cohesion promoter
Anti-adhesive/cohesive
Binder
Brightener
Emulsifier
Film former
Processing aids not otherwise specified
Sealant (barrier)
Solvent
Thickening agent
Regulatory List Membership (3)
EU Restricted for Children (Cosmetics)
EPA Safer Chemical Ingredients List (SCIL)
FDA Substances Added to Food (EAFUS)
Expert Verdict
Expert safety assessment and concern-level summary for Polyvinyl Alcohol.
Regulatory Flags
film-forming
high-molecular-weight
water-soluble
synthetic-polymer
non-comedogenic
vegan
rinse-off
leave-on
eye-area
eu_children_restricted
epa_safer_alternative
fda_food_additive
Known Synonyms
Ethenol, homopolymer
Alcotex 88/05
Alcotex 88/10
Alkotex
Galvatol 1-60
Gelvatol 2090
Gohsenol GH 20
Gohsenol GL 05
Gohsenol GM 14
Gohsenol GM 14L
Gohsenol KH 17
Gohsenol NK 114
Gosenol KH-17
Gtohsenol GL 05
Kurare Poval 120
Kurare poval 1700
Kurare PVA 205
Kurate poval 120
Lemol GF-60
Mowiol N 50/88
Chemical Function
Film former
Regulatory Lists
inert_ingredient; Pesticides
inert_ingredient; non_food_use; Pesticides
children; Europe; Personal care
children; Europe; Personal care - specialized bath products - bath salts
Arts and crafts/Office supplies - general arts and crafts supplies - arts and crafts adhesive; Europe
food_additive; Substances Added to Food (formerly EAFUS) (2/2019)
SCIL (9/2019)
Canada; pharmaceutical
Cleaning products and household care - laundry and fabric treatment - laundry detergent; Europe
Cleaning products and household care - dishwasher and dishes - automatic dishwashing detergent; Europe
Cleaning products and household care; Europe
drinking_water; Europe; manufacturing; plastic_additive
Europe; Specialty occupational products
Food contact items
Australian Status
AICIS status: listed
Cross-Vertical Safety Context
Same-CAS public records found in pharmaceutical data.
SOURCE
ChEMBL / DrugCentral / FAERS
DB_PHARMA CAS match
Pharmaceutical Data
Same-CAS rows from the pharmaceutical spoke database.
Compound
polyvinyl alcohol
ChEMBL ID
CHEMBL3559671
Adverse Event Associations
47
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Polyvinyl Alcohol allowed in the EU?
Polyvinyl Alcohol EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Polyvinyl Alcohol do in cosmetics?
Polyvinyl Alcohol functions as: Film forming, Viscosity controlling. It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 9002-89-5.
Is Polyvinyl Alcohol used outside cosmetics?
Polyvinyl Alcohol also appears in pharmaceutical data. The cross-vertical cards on this page render same-CAS public rows from the matched databases.
Compliance Tools
Check Polyvinyl Alcohol 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
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