What function does HYDROXYETHYLCELLULOSE serve in cosmetics?

According to the EU CosIng inventory, HYDROXYETHYLCELLULOSE carries the following function designation(s): BINDING, EMULSION STABILISING, FILM FORMING, LIGHT STABILIZER, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING.

What other records share CAS 9004-62-0?

CAS 9004-62-0 may appear across multiple EU annex records. The CAS lookup page shows all Annex II–VI entries sharing this identifier, useful for identifying cross-annex regulatory status of the same chemical substance.

How do I check if my formula contains HYDROXYETHYLCELLULOSE?

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InventoryRef 7684515/10/2010

HYDROXYETHYLCELLULOSE

Cellulose, 2-hydroxyethyl ether

HYDROXYETHYLCELLULOSE is listed in the EU CosIng inventory, but no direct annex records are linked on this page yet.

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Regulatory evidence by market

No rule for this ingredient has been imported for any of the 13 markets tracked here.

That describes this inventory, not the law. No imported rule is not evidence that an ingredient is permitted: a rule may exist under another name or identifier, or in a dataset not yet imported here.

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Chemical identity and properties

PubChem 2D chemical structure for CAS 9004-62-0

CAS 9004-62-0PubChem CID 4327536

Hydroxyethyl cellulose

Hydroxyethyl cellulose is a polysaccharide derivative with gel thickening, emulsifying, bubble-forming, water-retaining and stabilizing properties. It is used as a key ingredient in many household cleaning products, lubricants and cosmetics due to its non-ionic and water-soluble nature. It is often used as an ingredient in ophthalmic pharmaceutical preparations such as artificial tear solutions and adjunct agent in topical drug formulations to facilitate the delivery of drugs with hydrophobic character. — DrugBank

IUPAC name: 1-[[3,4,5-tris(2-hydroxypropoxy)-6-[4,5,6-tris(2-hydroxypropoxy)-2-(2-hydroxypropoxymethyl)oxan-3-yl]oxyoxan-2-yl]methoxy]propan-2-ol

Molecular formula: C36H70O19
Molecular weight: 806.9 g/mol
Exact mass: 806.45113000 Da
XLogP3: -3.0
Topological polar surface area: 263.0 Å²
Hydrogen-bond donors: 8
Hydrogen-bond acceptors: 19
Covalent units: 1
Defined stereocentres: 0

Also known as

Cellulose hydroxyethylateHYDROXYETHYLCELLULOSECellulose hydroxyethyl ether2-Hydroxyethyl cellulose etherCellulosizeCellosizeNatrosolCellosize QP

16 more reported names

Cellosize WPTylose H seriesNatrosol LRTylose PCellosize QP3OETs1-((3,4,5-tris(2-hydroxypropoxy)-6-((4,5,6-tris(2-hydroxypropoxy)-2-((2-hydroxypropoxy)methyl)oxan-3-yl)oxy)oxan-2-yl)methoxy)propan-2-ol1-{[3,4,5-tris(2-hydroxypropoxy)-6-{[4,5,6-tris(2-hydroxypropoxy)-2-[(2-hydroxypropoxy)methyl]oxan-3-yl]oxy}oxan-2-yl]methoxy}propan-2-olCellosize UT 40Cellosize WP 09H. E. CelluloseGlutofix 600Natrosol 150LNatrosol 180HHNatrosol 180LNatrosol 240JR

Open full PubChem record PubChem annotations 3D structure image

External database identifiers

PubMed:25735667
PubMed:24772038
PubMed:24363715
PubMed:16081080
PubMed:11438427
PubMed:2612782

Retrieved from NIH PubChem on 2026-08-31 by checksum-valid CAS matching. Chemical properties do not replace the regulatory decision on this page.

What the official INCI name states

The official label identifies a biological source material and its stated preparation or plant part.

Identity type from wording: biological_material

This structure is derived only from the official label wording. It does not establish composition, concentration, chemical equivalence, safety or regulatory permission.

Inventory details for HYDROXYETHYLCELLULOSE

INCI name

HYDROXYETHYLCELLULOSE

INN name

hyetellose

Description

Cellulose, 2-hydroxyethyl ether

Record provenance

Inventory reference: 76845
Imported identity: HYDROXYETHYLCELLULOSE
Source update: 15/10/2010

European Commission CosIng source notes

Annex records for HYDROXYETHYLCELLULOSE

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Key data

CAS

9004-62-0

—

Restriction

—

Function

BINDING: Providing adhesive properties during and after compression in cosmetic tablets and/or cakes.
EMULSION STABILISING: Helping the process of emulsification and improving emulsion stability and shelf-life.
FILM FORMING: Producing (upon application) a continuous film on the skin, hair or nails.
LIGHT STABILIZER: Protecting the cosmetic product from deterioration effects of light.
VISCOSITY CONTROLLING: Increasing or decreasing the viscosity (thickness) of cosmetics.

Official EU ingredient-name evidence

The ingredient name exactly matches the official 2025 EU glossary of common ingredient names.

#13278 · HYDROXYETHYLCELLULOSE

Ingredients with overlapping formulation functions

HYDROLYZED BEESWAXEMULSION STABILISING, LIGHT STABILIZER, SURFACTANT - CLEANSING, SURFACTANT - EMULSIFYING

HYDROQUINONELIGHT STABILIZER

HYDROXYBUTYL METHYLCELLULOSEBINDING, EMULSION STABILISING, FILM FORMING, LIGHT STABILIZER, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING

HYDROXYCETYL PHOSPHATELIGHT STABILIZER, SURFACTANT - CLEANSING, SURFACTANT - EMULSIFYING

IRON HYDROXIDELIGHT STABILIZER

ISOAMYL P-METHOXYCINNAMATELIGHT STABILIZER, UV ABSORBER, UV FILTER

LACTOPEROXIDASELIGHT STABILIZER

MAGNESIUM PHOSPHATELIGHT STABILIZER

Additional official and scientific sources

11 external databases to check this identity in

Each link searches that source for this identity. What each source is, and its legal weight

ECHA CHEM / Information on chemicals PubChem PUG REST EU Safety Gate cosmetic product alerts ECHA CHEM US EPA CompTox Cosmetic Ingredient Review safety assessments FDA Global Substance Registration System ILO/WHO International Chemical Safety Cards Japan NITE-CHRIP NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards OECD eChemPortal

How HYDROXYETHYLCELLULOSE appears in the CosIng inventory

The CosIng inventory lists HYDROXYETHYLCELLULOSE as a cosmetic ingredient and this page links it to 0 annex records. The inventory entry captures names and identifiers, while the annex records show where the substance is prohibited, restricted or positively listed in EU cosmetics law.

HYDROXYETHYLCELLULOSE is also tagged with 5 cosmetic functions in the official data. Function labels describe intended use, but they do not replace regulatory review of linked annex records before formulation or labelling work.

Frequently asked questions

HYDROXYETHYLCELLULOSE is listed in the EU CosIng ingredient inventory with no direct annex restriction records linked at this time. Absence of an annex link does not guarantee unrestricted use — always verify against the current official CosIng database before formulating.

According to the EU CosIng inventory, HYDROXYETHYLCELLULOSE carries the following function designation(s):

CAS 9004-62-0 may appear across multiple EU annex records. Viewing the CAS lookup page shows all Annex II–VI entries sharing this identifier, which is useful for identifying cross-annex regulatory status of the same chemical substance.

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Source note for HYDROXYETHYLCELLULOSE

This page reproduces the CosIng inventory entry for HYDROXYETHYLCELLULOSE from public European Commission cosmetic ingredient materials and shows linked identifiers even when no direct annex match is currently attached.

Use this inventory page to research HYDROXYETHYLCELLULOSE and compare linked records, but verify restrictions and legal status against the current official source text and law before making regulatory decisions.

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