Functions
Thickener
Binder
Emulsifier
Emulsion stabilizer
Gelling agent
Light Stabilizer
Viscosity controlling agent
CAS Number(s)
9004-67-5
INCI name
Methylcellulose
Cellulose derivatives have the polymeric backbone of cellulose, with repeating anhydroglucose units. After alkaline treatment, cellulose is reacted with methyl chloride to yield methyl ether groups. The end product is purified and ground to a fine powder and is known as methylcellulose.
Due to its chemical and physical uniformity, semi-synthetic polymer Methylcellulose has reproducible properties. It has been helpful in cosmetic formulations as a versatile thickener, gelling agent, and emulsifier with an HLB value of 13.8.
See also
Synonyms
Methyl Cellulose
Methylcellulosum
Related ingredients
Topically, it has been used in lotions as a soothing agent, oil-in-water emulsifier, and as astringent. Acacia Senegal gum is used externally to cover inflamed surfaces like bums or nodular leprosy.
Promotes the breakdown of fat, is a very good skin energizer. It accelerates the fat-burning process, thus boosting energy production by burning the body‘s fat reserves.
Cellulose is the primary component of green plants. It is an organic polysaccharide (complex carbohydrate) derived from beta-glucose and is used in conjunction with a marine focus as a natural exfoliating agent.
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate (MAS) is a white, highly purified mineral derived from smectite clays. It serves as stabilizing, suspending, and emulsifying agent for cosmetic formulations.
Maltodextrin is a generalized name for polysaccharides composed of short-to-medium long chains of glucose units (from 3 to 20 units, linked primarily by α-1–4 bonds) produced from starch.
Shea butter is a constituent of the choice of numerous leave-on skin, scalp, and hair care formulations. It is semi-solid, buttery oil derived from Shea tree kernels.
Xanthan gum is a natural carbohydrate gum produced by a yeast-like micro-organism. It has soothing properties and is used as an emulsifier and thickener to help with the consistency and stability of creams.
Microcrystalline cellulose is purified, isolated colloidal crystalline cellulose derived from fibrous plants. It is a white, free-flowing powder that is odorless and insoluble in water.
PPG-2-Isodeceth-12 is a nonionic alkoxylate surfactant. It is a pourable white paste, emulsifier with an HLB value of 15. It is used as a fragrance solubilizer.
Brookswax P is a non-ionic self-emulsifying wax based on cetyl, stearyl alcohols, and ethoxylated sorbitan ester. It has an approximate HLB of 8, making it ideal for forming stable o/w emulsions with mineral oil and other commonly used hydrophobic emollients.
Ceratonia Siliqua (Locust Bean) Gum is a highly purified fraction of branched galactomannan saccharide polymers with a mannose-to-galactose ratio of 4:1. It is derived from the seeds of the legume tree Ceratonia siliqua.
Irish moss (Chondrus Crispus) is common in the intertidal zone on all shores of the North Atlantic. Historically, Chondrus Crispus has been used internally as an excellent remedy for tuberculosis, coughs, bronchitis, and intestinal problems.