The ingredient, explained
Polyvinyl Alcohol
Polyvinyl Alcohol has published research relevant to cosmetic safety assessment.
Ingredient guide
What it is and what it does
Ethenol, homopolymer
About this ingredient: EU CosIng ingredient registry (via Open Beauty Facts taxonomy) ↗
- 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 assessment reviews dermal irritation and sensitization, while distinguishing adverse injection and implant findings from external cosmetic exposure.
What this does not tell us
Historical cosmetic safety assessment; some dermal irritation occurred. Injection and implant toxicology do not establish topical harm or cosmetic benefits.
Sources for this summary. DOI 10.1177/109158189801700505 ↗
Research review checked Oct 1, 2026
Selective exact-identity review of 2 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 Polyvinyl Alcohol ↗
· 1998
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
Ethenol, homopolymer
- INCI name on ingredient lists
- POLYVINYL ALCOHOL
- CAS registry number
- 9002-89-5, 25213-24-5
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