HYDROXYPROPYL METHYLCELLULOSE

📋 Quick facts

Description: HYDROXYPROPYL METHYLCELLULOSE — thickener, film-forming agent.

All Functions: thickener, film-forming agent

Quick Facts:

• Category: other

Proven Benefits At A Glance:

• HPMC is a cellulose derivative used in skincare formulations to create hydrogels—water-holding polymeric networks suitable for topical application
• Research shows HPMC hydrogels have good safety profiles with no skin irritation in biocompatibility studies
• HPMC can be combined with other ingredients to improve how products stick to skin and how active ingredients are released over time
• HPMC is primarily studied for its role as a delivery system and texture-builder, not as an active skincare ingredient itself
• Rare cases of allergic reactions to HPMC have been documented when ingested orally, though topical use showed no irritation in studies

⚗️ Chemical Overview

N-propanol appears as a clear colorless liquid with a sharp musty odor like rubbing alcohol. Flash point 53-77 °F. Autoignites at 700 °F. Vapors are heavier than air and mildly irritate the eyes, nose, and throat. Density approximately 6.5 lb / gal. Used in making cosmetics, skin and hair preparations, pharmaceuticals, perfumes, lacquer formulations, dye solutions, antifreezes, rubbing alcohols, soaps, window cleaners, acetone and other chemicals and products. Propan-1-ol is the parent member of the class of propan-1-ols that is propane in which a hydrogen of one of the methyl groups is replaced by a hydroxy group. It has a role as a metabolite and a protic solvent. It is a short-chain primary fatty alcohol and a member of propan-1-ols. A colorless liquid made by oxidation of aliphatic hydrocarbons that is used as a solvent and chemical intermediate.

Source(s): DrugBank, CAMEO Chemicals, ChEBI, via PubChem

📊 Comedogenicity

🛡️ Safety rating

Safety tier is a starting heuristic from regulatory status and comedogenic rating, not a dermatological verdict — see our Terms for the full disclaimer. Research confidence reflects how many real cited studies back this ingredient, not the strength of their findings.

🌍 Regulatory Status

💧 Skin Type Compatibility

Derived from this ingredient’s irritancy potential and comedogenicity rating against the needs of each skin type — e.g. oily and acne-prone skin are marked down for pore-clogging ingredients, sensitive skin for irritants. A starting heuristic, not a dermatological verdict.

⚠️ Don’t Combine With

📚 Research & Evidence

🔬 The Science

Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) is a modified form of cellulose—a natural polymer from plant cell walls—that has become important in skincare science because of its ability to form hydrogels, which are three-dimensional networks that hold large amounts of water (Pharmaceutics, 2023). Think of it as a microscopic sponge structure that can trap and slowly release other ingredients. #1: In formulation design, HPMC serves primarily as a delivery platform rather than an active treatment ingredient. Researchers have shown that when HPMC hydrogels are used in topical formulations, they allow for modified (slower, controlled) release of active ingredients and can improve how long those ingredients stay on the skin—a property called “residence time” (Int J Biol Macromol, 2020).

#2: The texture and feel of HPMC-based products are also well-engineered: studies demonstrate that HPMC hydrogels have suitable viscosity for topical use, meaning they spread easily and feel cosmetically acceptable without being too runny or too thick (Int J Biol Macromol, 2020; Pharmaceutics, 2023). #3: Safety data from skin biocompatibility studies shows that HPMC hydrogels exhibit “very good safety profile” with “no potentially hazardous skin irritation” in laboratory testing (Int J Biol Macromol, 2020). #4: When combined with other polymers like polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), HPMC can be fine-tuned to improve how well a product adheres to skin without negatively affecting how easy it is to apply or how it feels on the skin (Pharmaceutics, 2023).

One important caveat: while topical studies show safety, there is a documented case report of a person who experienced allergic reactions (urticaria and facial swelling) after ingesting HPMC-containing oral products, suggesting that for some individuals, ingesting HPMC may trigger hypersensitivity (Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol, 2026). This is relevant only if you might ingest skincare products, not for typical topical use. The sources available do not contain claims about HPMC treating specific skin conditions—research focuses on its role as a structural and delivery ingredient in formulations.

📄 Related Research

Matched by search — not necessarily verified support for every statement above.

• Vanti G et al. (2020). Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose hydrogel of berberine chloride-loaded escinosomes: Dermal absorption and biocompatibility. Int J Biol Macromol.
• Al-Oran AYF et al. (2023). Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Orodispersible Film Containing Desloratadine for Geriatric Use: Formulation and Evaluation. Antiinflamm Antiallergy Agents Med Chem.
• Pan P et al. (2023). Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Bioadhesive Hydrogels for Topical Application and Sustained Drug Release: The Effect of Polyvinylpyrrolidone on the Physicomechanical Properties of Hydrogel. Pharmaceutics.
• Lee WJ et al. (2026). Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose-induced urticaria and angioedema: a case report. Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol.
• Sharma D et al. (2025). Fabrication and physicomechanical performance of casein-hydroxypropyl methylcellulose nanofibers. J Colloid Interface Sci.

🧴 Products Containing HYDROXYPROPYL METHYLCELLULOSE

• Kneipp 2 in 1 Dusche Lemongras Guarana
• herbal essences champu
• Balea Men Arctic Fresh Duschgel
• Balea Beauty Effect Tagescreme
• baby lotion
• Numan Testosterone support
• Herbal Essences Champú frambuesa dorada y menta
• Le Petit Marseillais Lait de Vanille Douche crème extra doux
• Johnson & Johnson Vita-Rich
• Le Petit Marseillais Recharge Douche extra douce Parfum amande douce
• Le Petit Marseillais Crème de douche Extra Douce Lait de Vanille Bio
• deliplus GEL DE BAÑO – AVENA CON VITAMINA B3 (PIEL SENSIBLE)
• Exialoe Aloe vera puro 100% retinol
• Colgate MaxWhite Menthe Cristal
• colgate Max fresh
• Colgate Max Fresh Cooling Crystals
• Colgate tooth paste
• Colgate Total dentifrice
• Kraze Crème colorante pour les cheveux 004 – Light brown
• Ivory Gentle Body Wash
• Olay body wash
• Nivea cleansing cream
• life brand derma jel
• clean & clear lemon zesty scrub
• Live Clean Shampoo Green Earth, Lavender & Eucalyptus
• Unilever sauve tropical coconut shampoo
• Clean & Clear Clean & Clear Persa Gel 10 Acne Treatment
• Spring Valley Women’s Multi With Fruits & Vegetables
• Protector solar NO-AD
• up&up Sandwich Bags
• Japanese cherry blossom
• gingham shower gel
• sweet cinnamon pumpkin shower gel
• Bath & Body Works Marble 3-In-1 Hair, Face, and Body Wash
• b&bw champange toast shower gel
• Origins A Perfect World Antioxidant Cleanser with White Tea
• Petal Fresh Volumizing Conditioner
• O’Keefes Healthy Feet Cream
• dr teal’s
• Nivea Gel de Limpeza Facial Nivea Controle do Brilho