INCI name

MICROCRYSTALLINE CELLULOSE

Microcrystalline cellulose

Abrasive Absorbent Anticaking Bulking Emulsion stabilising Opacifying Light stabilizer Viscosity controllingreviewed

A purified, finely ground form of plant cellulose.

What it is

Microcrystalline cellulose is cellulose partly broken down and purified into fine particles. It absorbs oil, adds bulk and can act as a gentle abrasive or thickener.

Where it is used

Powders, scrubs, toothpastes and some creams.

Limits of interpretation

The INCI list shows which ingredients are present, not how much of each. Above 1%, ingredients are listed in descending order of weight; below 1% the order is free.

Functions

Abrasive: Removing unwanted tissue or foreign materials from various body surfaces, including mechanical tooth cleaning and/or gloss improvement.
Absorbent: Taking up water- and/or oil-soluble (dissolved or finely dispersed) substances.
Anticaking: Preventing agglomeration of particulate solids into lumps or hard masses (cohesive cake), thus allowing free flow of particles.
Bulking: Non-reactive (chemically inert), solid ingredients that dilute other solids and/or increase the volume of cosmetic products.
Emulsion stabilising: Helping the process of emulsification and improving emulsion stability and shelf-life.
Opacifying: Reducing transparency or translucency of cosmetics.
Light stabilizer: Protecting the cosmetic product from deterioration effects of light.
Viscosity controlling: Increasing or decreasing the viscosity (thickness) of cosmetics.

EU regulation

This ingredient is not listed in the annexes of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 in the CosIng data.

Products with this ingredient (330)

Check a full ingredient list