Cellulose Acetate

Cellulose Acetate 1
Cellulose Acetate 2
AKA: Cellulose ethanoate
Synthetic
Occlusive
Clean
Cellulose, acetates
CAS #
9004-35-7
Form
Powder
Functions
Film Forming
Creates a physical seal on skin to lock moisture in and keep irritants out. The "slugging" ingredient — barrier protection.
Creates Protective Barrier
Anti-Aging Benefits
Antioxidant Protection
Locks In Moisture
Traditional Use
A semi-synthetic polymer derived from cellulose, developed in the early 20th century. Originally used in film and textiles, later adopted by the cosmetics industry as a film-forming and thickening agent for nail lacquers and skincare products.
EWG
1
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
ewg-1
medical-approval
pregnancy-nursing-safe
all-shades-safe
Regulatory Status
USA✔ permitted
EU⚠ restricted
JAPAN⚠ restricted
CANADA⚠ restricted
Skin Types
●all-skin-types, gentle
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewed1 paper →
⚖️Regulatory1 listing →
🛡️Safety-assessed1 review →
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
Verified Jun 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR