Carboxymethyl Dextran
molecular structure · PubChem
AKA: CMDextran
Synthetic
Occlusive
Clean
Dextran, carboxymethyl ether
Effective at 2.5%
CAS #
9044-05-7
Form
Powder
Functions
Bulking
Film Forming
Creates a physical seal on skin to lock moisture in and keep irritants out. The "slugging" ingredient — barrier protection.
Gel Forming
Viscosity Controlling
Adds Body & Volume
Creates Protective Barrier
Controls Viscosity
Antioxidant Protection
Reduces Inflammation
Locks In Moisture
Creates protective layer
Adds volume
Creates gel consistency
Controls product thickness
Traditional Use
A synthetic polysaccharide derivative developed for pharmaceutical and cosmetic use in the late 20th century. Created as a stabilizing and film-forming agent for modern skincare formulations.
EWG
1
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
ewg-1
medical-approval
pregnancy-nursing-safe
all-shades-safe
Concentration Guide
5e-06%
5.0%
0%100%
Reported use
CIR reported use: 0.00001-5 | 0.000005-0.2
Regulatory Agencies
Skin Types
●all-skin-types, gentle
Best For
Dehydration
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewed1 paper →
⚖️Regulatory1 listing →
🛡️Safety-assessed2 reviews →
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
Verified Jun 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR