The ingredient, explained
Polyethylene
Polyethylene has published research relevant to cosmetic safety assessment.
Ingredient guide
What it is and what it does
Homopolymer of ethylene monomers
About this ingredient: EU CosIng ingredient registry (via Open Beauty Facts taxonomy) ↗
- Abrasive
- Provides mechanical surface cleaning or polishing.
- 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
Safety assessment
The panel did not expect substantial dermal absorption or systemic exposure to the large polyethylene polymers used in the cosmetic assessment.
What this does not tell us
Polymer size and cosmetic context matter. This is a historical safety assessment, not skin efficacy or an environmental assessment.
Sources for this summary. PubMed 17365139 ↗
Research review checked Oct 1, 2026
Selective exact-identity review of 5 supplied local candidates and the targeted primary-source search recorded below. Bounded review, not a systematic search.
Ingredient research is not proof that a product containing this ingredient works.
Read the 1 selected study
Safety assessment
Final report on the safety assessment of polyethylene. ↗
International journal of toxicology · 2007
Follow the formula
Products containing this ingredient
From the wider catalogue. Linked by the ingredient list, without an efficacy ranking.
Names and identifiers
Registry identity
Homopolymer of ethylene monomers
- INCI name on ingredient lists
- POLYETHYLENE
- CAS registry number
- 9002-88-4
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