A natural resin secreted by the lac insect, used as a film former and binder.
What it is
Shellac is a resin secreted by the lac insect (CosIng: Laccifer lacca), collected from the branches of host trees and purified. CosIng lists it as a binding, emollient, film-forming, hair-fixing and viscosity-controlling ingredient.
Where it is used
Found in mascaras, nail products and hair styling products.
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.
Shellac is of animal (insect) origin. As a natural material, its composition can vary between batches.
Functions
- Binding
- Providing adhesive properties during and after compression in cosmetic tablets and/or cakes.
- Skin conditioning – emollient
- Acting as lubricants on the skin surface providing the skin with a soft and smooth appearance.
- Film forming
- Producing (upon application) a continuous film on the skin, hair or nails.
- Hair fixing
- Permitting physical control of hair style.
- 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.