A synthetic polymer used as a thickener, film former or abrasive.
What it is
Polyethylene is a polymer of ethylene. Depending on its form it thickens oily formulas, forms films or, as particles, acts as a mild abrasive.
Where it is used
Make-up, lipsticks, creams and, formerly, scrubs.
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.
EU rules on intentionally added microplastics (Regulation (EU) 2023/2055) restrict synthetic polymer particles in cosmetics with transition periods; see the EU regulation section.
Functions
- Abrasive
- Removing unwanted tissue or foreign materials from various body surfaces, including mechanical tooth cleaning and/or gloss improvement.
- Film forming
- Producing (upon application) a continuous film on the skin, hair or nails.
- 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 (370)
- Ceramic lip butter sleeping mask · COSRX
- Revolution Pro New Neutral Satin Matte Lipstick · Revolution
- Revolution Pro New Neutral Lip Liner · Revolution
- Revolution Big Lash Fierce Colour Mascara · Revolution
- Revolution Pout Bomb Plumping Gloss · Revolution
- Revolution Fast Base Blush Stick · Revolution
- I Heart Revolution Chocolate Glaze Lip Gloss Pen · Revolution
- Relove Fix Stick H2o Hydrate Primer · Revolution
- Relove Fix Stick Glow Primer · Revolution
- Relove Colour Play Believe Eyeshadow Palette · Revolution
- Revolution Nudes Chocolate Palette · Revolution
- Revolution Pro Lipstick Collection Matte Nude · Revolution