Methylcellulose
Methylcellulose is a cosmetic ingredient used as a binding, emulsion stabilising agent. It is used in 22 products in our dataset. It is regulated in the EU (listed in a Cosmetics Regulation annex). PubMed carries 1,266 studies of its skin or topical use.
| INCI name | METHYLCELLULOSE |
| Function | BINDING, EMULSION STABILISING, LIGHT STABILIZER, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING |
| CAS number | 9004-67-5 |
| Prevalence | 22 products (0.02% of dataset) |
| Most used in | Skincare |
| EU status | Restricted (annex ) |
| Scientific studies | 1,266 on PubMed (skin/cosmetic/topical) |
| Monthly searches | 8,100 |
Used in
Eyeliners 18.2%Facial Treatments 13.6%Prescription 13.6%Sunscreens 13.6%Eye Masks 9.1%Lip Stains 9.1%
Frequently asked
- What does Methylcellulose do in skincare?
- Methylcellulose functions as a binding, emulsion stabilising agent in cosmetic formulas.
- Is Methylcellulose allowed in cosmetics?
- Yes, but it is regulated in the EU — it appears in a Cosmetics Regulation annex with usage conditions.
- What products contain Methylcellulose?
- It is most commonly found in Skincare products, especially eyeliners (18.2% of its uses).
Manufacturers with experience using Methylcellulose
Match with vetted US contract manufacturers that have hands-on experience formulating with this ingredient.