The ingredient, explained
Hydroxypropylcellulose
Cellulose, 2-hydroxypropyl ether
Ingredient guide
What it is and what it does
About this ingredient: EU CosIng ingredient registry (via Open Beauty Facts taxonomy) ↗
- Binding
- Helps the components of a product hold together.
- Emulsifying
- Helps liquids that do not normally mix form a mixture.
- Emulsion stabilising
- Helps keep an emulsion from separating.
- Film forming
- Leaves a continuous layer on skin, hair or nails after application.
- Viscosity controlling
- Adjusts how thick or fluid a product is.
Function definitions: European Commission ingredient function definitions (SCCNFP/0299/00, pages 16 to 20) ↗
Registry functions describe possible formulation roles, not results for a finished product. A dictionary entry is not an approval or a safety assessment.
A closer look
What the research shows
We have not yet published a checked study for this exact ingredient. This is a gap in our coverage, not a finding that research does not exist or that the ingredient is ineffective.
Ingredient research is not proof that a product containing this ingredient works.
Follow the formula
Products containing this ingredient
From the wider catalogue. Linked by the ingredient list, without an efficacy ranking.
Names and identifiers
- INCI name on ingredient lists
- HYDROXYPROPYLCELLULOSE
- CAS registry number
- 9004-64-2
Other recorded names (2)
- hydroxypropyl cellulose
- hydroxypropylcellulosum
Sources for this ingredient record
- EU CosIng ingredient registry (via Open Beauty Facts taxonomy) ↗ · ODbL 1.0 (Open Beauty Facts database) · Recorded Aug 8, 2026