Polyhydroxyethylmethacrylate

AKA: PHEMA, Poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)

Synthetic

Not Clean

Homopolymer of hydroxyethyl methacrylate

CAS #

25249-16-5

Form

Powder

Functions

Binding

Holds Formula Together

Holds ingredients together

Traditional Use

Developed in the mid-20th century as a synthetic polymer. Used in cosmetics as a film-former and thickener, originally derived from polymer chemistry research in the plastics industry.

EWG

CIR

Safe as used

Pregnancy

Yes

CIR Safety Findings

Not a Sensitizer

medical-approval

all-shades-safe

Regulatory Status

USA✔ permitted

EU⚠ restricted

JAPAN⚠ restricted

CANADA⚠ restricted

Regulatory Agencies

EWG CIR FDA EU COSING Health Canada

Skin Types

●all-skin-types

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