What does Hydroxyethyl cellulose (2000 mpa.s at 1%) do?

Used in cosmetics as a binder, an emulsion stabiliser and a film former.

Is Hydroxyethyl cellulose (2000 mpa.s at 1%) safe?

Low concern: no hazard classifications on record. It is listed for cosmetic use in the EU.

beauty
cleaning
food
industrial

Hydroxyethyl cellulose (2000 mpa.s at 1%)

CAS 9045-96-9 · 0/100 · High conf.

Also registered as 23 other CAS numbers

12772-61-1 · 53124-21-3 · 53124-22-4 · 53149-00-1 · 72146-24-8 · 81990-28-5 · 86168-41-4 · 87210-16-0 · 97105-13-0 · 142582-86-3 · 163648-13-3 · 168679-18-3 · 173523-80-3 · 189832-76-6 · 682809-20-7 · 942427-43-2 · 950179-92-7 · 1029222-54-5 · 1239602-59-5 · 1421926-28-4 · 1422717-44-9 · 1613317-73-9 · 9004-62-0

Concern score

0/100Low concern — well-established and permitted without restriction (CIR safe as used; EU CosIng).

High confidence

Hydroxyethyl cellulose (2000 mpa.s at 1%) in plain language

What it is: On cosmetic ingredient lists it appears as “Hydroxyethylcellulose”.
Also known as Hydroxyethylcellulose · Hydroxyethyl cellulose (140 mpa.s at 5%) · Hydroxypropyl ethylcellulose 250L · Hydroxyethyl cellulose (100 mpa.s at 2%) · Hydroxyethyl cellulose (1500 mpa.s at 1%) · Hydroxyethyl cellulose (1800 mpa.s at 2%)
Show all 126 names
Hydroxyethyl cellulose (280 mpa.s at 2%) · Hydroxyethyl cellulose (280 mpa.s at 5%) · Hydroxyethyl cellulose (3000 mpa.s at 1%) · Hydroxyethyl cellulose (40 mpa.s at 2%) · Hydroxyethyl cellulose (4000 mpa.s at 1%) · Hydroxyethyl cellulose (5000 mpa.s at 1%) · Hydroxyethyl cellulose (5500 mpa.s at 2%) · Hydroxyethyl cellulose (6500 mpa.s at 2%) · Hydroxyethyl cellulose (140 cps at 5%) · Hydroxyethyl cellulose (2000 cps at 1%) · Hydroxyethyl cellulose (3000 cps at 1%) · Hydroxyethyl cellulose (5000 cps at 1%) · Hydroxymethyl cellulose · Hydroxyethyl cellulose (275 mpa.s at 2%) · Hydroxyethyl cellulose (275 mpa.s at 5%) · Hydroxyethyl cellulose (4000 cps at 1%) · Hydroxyethyl cellulose 250L · Hydroxyethylcellulose (100 mpa.s at 2%) · Hydroxyethylcellulose (1500 mpa.s at 1%) · Hydroxyethylcellulose (1800 mpa.s at 2%) · Hydroxyethylcellulose (2000 cps at 1%) · Hydroxyethylcellulose (2000 mpa.s at 1%) · Hydroxyethylcellulose (275 mpa.s at 2%) · Hydroxyethylcellulose (275 mpa.s at 5%) · Hydroxyethylcellulose (3000 cps at 1%) · Hydroxyethylcellulose (40 mpa.s at 2%) · Hydroxyethylcellulose (4000 cps at 1%) · Hydroxyethylcellulose (5000 cps at 1%) · Hydroxyethylcellulose (5500 mpa.s at 2%) · Hydroxyethylcellulose (6500 mpa.s at 2%) · Natrosol 250 hhr · Natrosol 250-HHX · Natrosol hec 250ER · 2-Hydroxyethyl cellulose · 2-Hydroxyethyl cellulose ether · 2-Hydroxyethyl ether cellulose · Admiral 3089FS · Admiral FPS 3089 · Aqualon HEC · Cellosize EP 09 · Cellosize EP 300 · Cellosize er 52M · Cellosize hec EP 09 · Cellosize hec er 4400 · Cellosize hec qp 100MH · Cellosize hec qp 15000H · Cellosize hec qp 3L · Cellosize hec qp 4400H · Cellosize hec QP10000H · Cellosize hec wp/qp 09H · Cellosize hec wp/qp 09L · Cellosize hec-ep 300 · Cellosize hec-wp/qp 300 · Cellosize PCG-10 · Cellosize polymer PCG-10 · Cellosize qp 100MH · Cellosize qp 30000H · Cellosize qp 40 · Cellosize qp 52000H · Cellosize wp 52000H · Cellosize wp/qp 09H · Cellosize wp/qp 300 · Cellosize wp/qp 52000H · Cellulose, 2-hydroxyethyl ether · Celulosa, 2-hidroxietil eter · Daicel SE500 · Hec daicel EE820 · Hec daicel SE400 · Hec daicel SE500 · Hec daicel SE600 · Hec daicel SE850 · Hec daicel SE900 · Hec daicel SP200 · Hec daicel SP400 · Hec daicel SP500 · Hec daicel SP600 · Hec daicel SP850 · Hec daicel SP900 · Hydroxyethyl cellulose · Natrosol 250 g pharm · Natrosol 250 h · Natrosol 250 H4 · Natrosol 250 hbr · Natrosol 250 hh · Natrosol 250 hr · Natrosol 250 hx · Natrosol 250 l · Natrosol 250 lr · Natrosol 250 m pharm · Natrosol 250 mbr · Natrosol 250GR · Natrosol 250H4BR · Natrosol 250H4R · Natrosol 250MHBR · Natrosol 250MHR · Natrosol 250MR · Natrosol hec 250GR · Natrosol hec 250HHR · Natrosol hec 250JR · Natrosol hec 250KR · Natrosol hec 250MR · Natrosol hec g pharm · Natrosol hec hhw pharm · Natrosol hec hhx pharm · Natrosol hec l pharm · hydroxyethyl cellulose op grade · hyetellose · Hydroxyethyl cellulose (100 mpa.s for 2% aqueous solution) · Hydroxyethyl cellulose (1150 mpa.s for 1% aqueous solution) · Hydroxyethyl cellulose (140 mpa.s for 5% aqueous solution) · Hydroxyethyl cellulose (1800 mpa.s for 2% aqueous solution) · Hydroxyethyl cellulose (2000 mpa.s for 1% aqueous solution) · Hydroxyethyl cellulose (275 mpa.s for 2% aqueous solution) · Hydroxyethyl cellulose (275 mpa.s for 5% aqueous solution) · Hydroxyethyl cellulose (3000 mpa.s for 1% aqueous solution) · Hydroxyethyl cellulose (40 mpa.s for 2% aqueous solution) · Hydroxyethyl cellulose (4000 mpa.s for 1% aqueous solution) · Hydroxyethyl cellulose (5000 mpa.s for 1% aqueous solution) · Hydroxyethyl cellulose (5500 mpa.s for 2% aqueous solution) · Hydroxyethyl cellulose (6500 mpa.s for 2% aqueous solution)
What it does: Used in cosmetics as a binder, an emulsion stabiliser and a film former.
Binding
Emulsion stabilising
Film forming
Light stabilizer
Viscosity controlling
Emulsifier
Is it a concern?: Low concern: no hazard classifications on record. It is listed for cosmetic use in the EU.

Why it's flagged

EPA CPDat observed this chemical in 3089 composition records across product categories including Raw materials, Construction and building materials, Home maintenance.

The score describes this ingredient's chemical identity — its hazard profile from published classifications and regulatory status — not the safety of any product it appears in.

Regulation

No restrictions found. Hydroxyethyl cellulose (2000 mpa.s at 1%) appears in these published regulatory listings.

In marketed US drugs
Inactive ingredient in US drugs

Recorded in these product areas

Found in consumer products
Beauty
Cleaning
Pharma
Food
Industrial

USFDAinactive ingredient database41 entries — 6 administration routes
- Route: TOPICAL; Dosage form: SOLUTION; Potency: 0.6 %w/vSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: CAPSULE; Potency: 2.98 mgSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: SOLUTION; Maximum daily exposure: 34 mgSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: TABLET, EXTENDED RELEASE; Maximum daily exposure: 800 mgSource →
- Route: TOPICAL; Dosage form: GEL; Maximum daily exposure: 231 mgSource →
- Route: TOPICAL; Dosage form: SOLUTION; Potency: 0.26 %w/vSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: TABLET, EXTENDED RELEASE; Maximum daily exposure: 300 mgSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: SOLUTION; Potency: 22.5 mg/5mlSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: SYRUP; Potency: 8 mg/5mlSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: CAPSULE, EXTENDED RELEASE; Potency: 1.6 mgSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: TABLET; Maximum daily exposure: 8 mgSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: TABLET, FILM COATED; Potency: 30 mgSource →
- Route: NASAL; Dosage form: SPRAY; Potency: 0.1 mg/0.2mlSource →
- Route: BUCCAL; Dosage form: FILM; Maximum daily exposure: 55 mgSource →
- Route: BUCCAL; Dosage form: FILM, SOLUBLE; Maximum daily exposure: 161 mgSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: CAPSULE; Maximum daily exposure: 20 mgSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: SOLUTION; Maximum daily exposure: 1867 mgSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: SUSPENSION; Maximum daily exposure: 1200 mgSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: SYRUP; Potency: 100 mg/5mlSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: TABLET; Maximum daily exposure: 4 mgSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: TABLET, EXTENDED RELEASE; Potency: 150 mgSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: TABLET, FILM COATED; Potency: 1 mgSource →
- Route: AURICULAR (OTIC); Dosage form: SUSPENSION; Maximum daily exposure: 1 mgSource →
- Route: OPHTHALMIC; Dosage form: SOLUTION; Potency: 0.5 %w/vSource →
- Route: OPHTHALMIC; Dosage form: SOLUTION/ DROPS; Potency: 0.5 %w/vSource →
- Route: OPHTHALMIC; Dosage form: SUSPENSION; Potency: 0.25 %w/vSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: POWDER, FOR SUSPENSION; Maximum daily exposure: 560 mgSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: SOLUTION; Maximum daily exposure: 3 mgSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: SUSPENSION; Maximum daily exposure: 100 mgSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: SYRUP; Potency: 2 mg/5mlSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: TABLET, CHEWABLE; Potency: 5.9 mgSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: TABLET, EXTENDED RELEASE; Maximum daily exposure: 350 mgSource →
- Route: TOPICAL; Dosage form: GEL; Maximum daily exposure: 4 mgSource →
- Route: TOPICAL; Dosage form: LOTION; Potency: 0.2 %w/vSource →
- Route: TOPICAL; Dosage form: SOLUTION; Potency: 0.21 %w/vSource →
- Route: TOPICAL; Dosage form: SUSPENSION; Potency: 0.69 %w/vSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: SOLUTION; Maximum daily exposure: 200 mgSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: TABLET, EXTENDED RELEASE; Maximum daily exposure: 40 mgSource →
- Route: TOPICAL; Dosage form: SPRAY; Potency: 0.05 %w/wSource →
- Route: OPHTHALMIC; Dosage form: SOLUTION; Potency: 1.6 %w/vSource →
- + 1 more entries not shown
EUCosIngActiveCellulose, 2-hydroxyethyl ether
- Cellulose, 2-hydroxyethyl etherSource →
USEPAcommercial use observedEPA CPDat observed this chemical in 3089 composition records across product categories including Raw materials, Construction and building materials, Home maintenance. EPA CPDat classifies this chemical for functional uses including Viscosity modifier, Thickening agent, Emulsifier.
- EPA CPDat observed this chemical in 3089 composition records across product categories including Raw materials, Construction and building materials, Home maintenance. EPA CPDat classifies this chemical for functional uses including Viscosity modifier, Thickening agent, Emulsifier.Source →
USFDAmarketed drug occurrenceFDA NDC lists this ingredient in 3 active drug products and 3 total products.
- FDA NDC lists this ingredient in 3 active drug products and 3 total products.Source →
USFDAlisted in openFDA substanceopenFDA substance registry classifies this ingredient as polymer.
- openFDA substance registry classifies this ingredient as polymer.Source →

Expert safety opinions

No expert opinion on file for Hydroxyethyl cellulose (2000 mpa.s at 1%). These are the independent scientific bodies that assess ingredients like this one; we show an opinion only when a record we hold cites it.

SCCS
EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety
No SCCS opinion on file.
CIR
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (US expert panel)
No CIR safety assessment on file.

Evidence & sources

No graded research studies for Hydroxyethyl cellulose (2000 mpa.s at 1%) yet. This record is compiled from the published data sources below — registries and regulatory listings, not study findings.

7 data sources

Where this comes from

CosIng
regulatory · updated 2026-09-23
Open →
EPA Chemical and Products Database
exposure · updated may 4, 2018
Open →
EPA DSSTox Identifiers
chemistry · updated 2025-12-29
Open →
FDA Inactive Ingredient Database
regulatory · updated 2026-01-09
Open →
FDA National Drug Code Directory
regulatory · updated 2027-12-31
Open →
FDA GSRS UNII
registry · updated 2026-02-26
Open →
openFDA Substance
registry · updated 2026-05-24
Open →

Good fit

The ingredient appears in food-oriented source coverage or allowed-use references, which makes food use easier to support than a context with no domain signal at all.

Fragrance avoidance

Not a strong fit for fragrance avoidance because it carries Fragrance.

Avoid

The ingredient itself is a fragrance-linked signal, so it is better treated as an avoid case when fragrance exposure is the main concern.

Where it has been recorded

How often EPA CPDat has listed Hydroxyethyl cellulose (2000 mpa.s at 1%) in a product composition. These are source records, not Greenveil catalog products.

Source records

3,089

Named organisations

Raw materialsConstruction and building materialsHome maintenanceFurniture and furnishingsSpecialty occupational productsIndustrial products

Typical roles

BindingEmulsion stabilisingFilm formingLight stabilizerViscosity controllingEmulsifier

See products using Hydroxyethyl cellulose (2000 mpa.s at 1%) →

Catalog

Found in these products

Their ingredient lists include Hydroxyethyl cellulose (2000 mpa.s at 1%); each product's own rating depends on its whole formula, so it is shown on the product page, not here.

See all 611 →Find products without it →

Co-occurrence

Often appears with

Ingredients that frequently appear alongside Hydroxyethyl cellulose (2000 mpa.s at 1%) in the catalog.