Polyvinyl Alcohol
What is it?
Polyvinyl Alcohol is a polymer of vinyl alcohol. In cosmetics and personal care products, Polyvinyl Alcohol is used in a wide range of products, including makeup, skin care products and facial masks.
Safety Information
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) includes Polyvinyl Alcohol on its list of basic compounds allowed to be used in food contact surfaces. Polyvinyl Alcohol is also allowed to be used in coatings in contact with food.
The safety of Polyvinyl Alcohol has been assessed by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel. The CIR Expert Panel evaluated scientific data and concluded that Polyvinyl Alcohol was safe as used in cosmetics and personal care products.
The safety of Polyvinyl Alcohol has been assessed by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel. The CIR Expert Panel evaluated scientific data and concluded that Polyvinyl Alcohol was safe as used in cosmetics and personal care products.
Why is it used in cosmetics and personal care products?
Polyvinyl Alcohol increases the thickness of the lipid (oil) portion of cosmetics. It may also be used as a film former or a binder.
Scientific facts:
Polyvinyl Alcohol is a synthetic alcohol that can occur as a white, tasteless and odorless powder. Polyvinyl Alcohol is produced by the controlled hydrolysis of polyvinyl acetate and normally contains some level of unhydrolyzed acetate groups. Polyvinyl Alcohol has a variety of noncosmetic uses including its use in solutions for the eyes.
