What it is
In the register’s words: “Cellulose, 2-hydroxyethyl ether.”
- EU register name (INCI)
- HYDROXYETHYLCELLULOSE
- CAS number
- 9004-62-0
- EC number
- -
- Written on these labels as
- Hydroxyethylcellulose; Hydroxyethylcellulose (plant derived)
What the register lists it for
These are the uses the European Commission’s CosIng register lists for Hydroxyethylcellulose in any cosmetic, hair roles first. They say why a maker might add it, not what it does in one formula, and they aren’t a safety rating.
- Emulsion stabilizing
-
Keeps a cream’s oil and water from separating on the shelf.
Register definition: “Helping the process of emulsification and improving emulsion stability and shelf-life.”
- Film forming
-
Leaves a thin, continuous film on the hair as it dries. Polymers in gels and foams carry it; the film is what feels like a cast.
Register definition: “Producing (upon application) a continuous film on the skin, hair or nails.”
- Viscosity controlling
-
Makes a product thicker or thinner, so a gel holds its shape or a shampoo pours. Gums, cellulose and some salts carry this role.
Register definition: “Increasing or decreasing the viscosity (thickness) of cosmetics.”
- Binding
-
Holds powders or pressed products together. On a hair label it usually sits beside another listed use.
Register definition: “Providing adhesive properties during and after compression in cosmetic tablets and/or cakes.”
- Light stabilizer
-
Protects the product itself from damage by light in a clear bottle.
Register definition: “Protecting the cosmetic product from deterioration effects of light.”
Where it sits on each label
US labels list ingredients from most to least, except that those at 1% or less may follow in any order. A name near the top is a large part of the formula. A label doesn’t mark where the 1% point falls, so further down, the order says little about how much is in it.
- Shampoos 4 labels First five names: 0 of 4 Shampoos without it
- Rinse-out conditioners 5 labels First five names: 0 of 5 Rinse-out conditioners without it
- Deep conditioners 1 label First five names: 0 of 1 Deep conditioners without it
- Leave-in conditioners 4 labels First five names: 0 of 4 Leave-in conditioners without it
- Stylers 7 labels First five names: 3 of 7 Stylers without it
- Protein treatments 2 labels First five names: 0 of 2 Protein treatments without it
- Heat protectants 1 label First five names: 0 of 1 Heat protectants without it
Every label, product by product (24)
- Bouclème Curl Cleanser Shampoo 13th of 35 names
- PATTERN Hydration Shampoo Shampoo 25th of 42 names
- Bouclème Fragrance Free Curl Cleanser Shampoo 11th of 18 names
- Kristin Ess Moisture Rich Curl Shampoo Shampoo 30th of 41 names
- Bouclème Curl Conditioner Rinse-out conditioner 9th of 38 names
- SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Conditioner Rinse-out conditioner 9th of 29 names
- Not Your Mother's Curl Talk Clean Slate Daily Conditioner Rinse-out conditioner 16th of 30 names
- Bouclème Fragrance Free Curl Conditioner Rinse-out conditioner 12th of 17 names
- SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine Conditioner Rinse-out conditioner 22nd of 25 names
- Not Your Mother's Curl Talk Deep Hydration Mask Deep conditioner 14th of 30 names
- SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Leave-In Conditioner Leave-in conditioner 11th of 28 names
- Aussie Miracle Curls Leave-In Detangling Milk Leave-in conditioner 10th of 22 names
- Cantu Ultra Moisture Nourishing Leave-In Conditioner Leave-in conditioner 20th of 37 names
- SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Hold & Shine Moisture Mist Leave-in conditioner 16th of 25 names
- Giovanni L.A. Hold Styling Gel Styler · listed as Hydroxyethylcellulose (plant derived) 3rd of 22 names
- Innersense Organic Beauty I Create Hold Styler 3rd of 20 names
- Jessicurl Spiralicious Styling Gel Styler 3rd of 10 names
- Mielle Pomegranate & Honey Curl Smoothie Styler 7th of 21 names
- PATTERN Curl Gel Styler 18th of 38 names
- Cécred Moisture Sealing Lotion Styler 25th of 48 names
- Cantu Ultra Moisture Nourishing Curl Cream Styler 21st of 30 names
- ApHogee Keratin 2 Minute Reconstructor Protein treatment 15th of 44 names
- Cécred Reconstructing Treatment Mask Protein treatment 23rd of 37 names
- OLAPLEX Nº.9 Bond Protector Nourishing Hair Serum Heat protectant 9th of 31 names
Each line runs from the first name on a label to the last; a dot is where this ingredient sits. Makers change formulas now and then; if the list on your bottle differs, go by your bottle.
Your next step
Other emulsion stabilizing ingredients on these labels
- Carbomer 10 labels
- Pectin 4 labels
- Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose 3 labels
- Microcrystalline Wax (Cera Microcristallina) 2 labels
Updated · The name, numbers and uses come from the European Commission’s CosIng entry (CC BY 4.0); we write the uses in US spelling and put the hair ones first. The labels are each maker’s own. The order rule is the FDA’s Cosmetics Labeling Guide. All our sources are on the Sources page.