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Cellulose Acetate

What Cellulose Acetate is & what it does

A plant-derived polymer used to form films and structure, and as a smooth texturizer or glitter substrate. It improves the feel and wear of formulas.

Is Cellulose Acetate safe in skincare?

Cellulose Acetate is widely used in cosmetics and is generally regarded as safe for topical use in the concentrations found in products. It is a large, inert polymer that mainly stays on the surface as a film. As with any ingredient, people with specific sensitivities should check the full ingredient list.

What does Cellulose Acetate do in skincare?

Cellulose Acetate is a plant-derived polymer used mainly as a film former and a binder. It helps products form a thin, even layer on the skin, which can improve wear and texture in items like sunscreens and makeup.

Is Cellulose Acetate natural or synthetic?

It is semi-synthetic. The base cellulose comes from plant material such as wood pulp or cotton, and it is then chemically modified with acetate groups to create the final polymer.

Sunscreens with Cellulose Acetate

We rate 16 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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