PVP

PVP molecular structure
molecular structure · PubChem
AKA: N-VINYL-2-PYRROLIDONE, 88-12-0, 1-Vinyl-2-pyrrolidone, 1-Vinyl-2-pyrrolidinone, Vinylpyrrolidone, 1-ethenylpyrrolidin-2-one, 2-Pyrrolidinone, Vinylbutyrolactam, Vinylpyrrolidinone, 1-Vinylpyrrolidinone
Synthetic
Occlusive
Emulsifier
Not Clean
2-Pyrrolidinone, 1-ethenyl-, homopolymer
Solubility Soluble in water and many organic solvents
Formula
C6H9NO
Mol. Weight
111.14
CAS #
9003-39-8
State
NKRA; Liquid
Functions
Antistatic
Binding
Emulsion Stabilising
Forces oil and water to stay mixed instead of separating into layers. The unsung hero holding your lotion together.
Film Forming
Creates a physical seal on skin to lock moisture in and keep irritants out. The "slugging" ingredient — barrier protection.
Hair Fixing
Viscosity Controlling
Reduces Static
Holds Formula Together
Stabilizes Emulsion
Creates Protective Barrier
Fights Bacteria
Reduces Inflammation
Antioxidant Protection
Traditional Use
Polyvinylpyrrolidone was synthesized in the 1930s in Germany and adopted by the cosmetics industry in the 1950s as a binding, film-forming, and stabilizing agent.
EWG
4
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Phototoxicity Concern
Regulatory Status
USA✔ permitted
EU⚠ restricted
JAPAN⚠ restricted
CANADA⚠ restricted
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: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR