Polyethylene

Polyethylene 1
Polyethylene 2
AKA: Polyethene, Low-Density Polyethylene, High-Density Polyethylene
Synthetic
Occlusive
Clean
Homopolymer of ethylene monomers
CAS #
9002-88-4
Form
Powder
Functions
Abrasive
Film Forming
Creates a physical seal on skin to lock moisture in and keep irritants out. The "slugging" ingredient — barrier protection.
Viscosity Controlling
Moisturizing
Strengthens Barrier
Gently polishes surface
Creates protective layer
Controls product thickness
Traditional Use
Synthesized in 1933 by accident at Imperial Chemical Industries. Adopted in cosmetics in the 1960s-1970s as a thickening agent, film-former, and microbeads for exfoliating products (now restricted in many countries).
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
Uneven Texture
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewed1 paper →
⚖️Regulatory1 listing →
🛡️Safety-assessed3 reviews →
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
Autograph Matte Lipstick
Finding Ferdinand
 →
Barely There Sheer Lipstick
Finding Ferdinand
 →
Custom Blush
Finding Ferdinand
 →
Custom Lip Gloss
Finding Ferdinand
 →
Delicate Gloss
Finding Ferdinand
 →
Delicious Balms
Finding Ferdinand
 →
Morphosis Balms
Finding Ferdinand
 →
Photoshoot Red
Finding Ferdinand
 →
Tender Blush
Finding Ferdinand
 →
Arch Support Brow Powder Gel
Gen See
 →
Clean Sheen Cheek + Lip Color
Gen See
 →
Cruise Liner Eye Pencil
Gen See
 →
Pick Me Up Lip Matte Lipstick
Gen See
 →
Clean Line Gel Liner
ILIA Beauty
 →
In Full Micro-Tip Brow Pencil
ILIA Beauty
 →
Skin Rewind Complexion Stick
ILIA Beauty
 →
Comfort Level Lip Mask
Gen See
 →
Baby Cheeks Blush Stick - Bichette
Westman Atelier
 →
Baby Cheeks Blush Stick - Chouchette
Westman Atelier
 →
Baby Cheeks Blush Stick - Coquette
Westman Atelier
 →
Baby Cheeks Blush Stick - Garçonne
Westman Atelier
 →
Deluxe Baby Cheeks Blush Stick
Westman Atelier
 →
Deluxe Baby Cheeks Blush Stick - Bichette
Westman Atelier
 →
Face Trace Contour Stick
Westman Atelier
 →
Face Trace Contour Stick - Ganache
Westman Atelier
 →
Face Trace Contour Stick - Truffle
Westman Atelier
 →
Lit Up Highlight Stick - Biscuit
Westman Atelier
 →
Lit Up Highlight Stick - Brûlée
Westman Atelier
 →
Lit Up Highlight Stick - Garçonne
Westman Atelier
 →
Lit Up Highlight Stick - Lit
Westman Atelier
 →
Lit Up Highlight Stick - Nectar
Westman Atelier
 →
Lit Up Highlight Stick
Westman Atelier
 →
Petite Petal Edition
Westman Atelier
 →
Vital Skin Foundation Stick - Atelier 0
Westman Atelier
 →
Verified Jun 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR