# HYDROXYETHYLCELLULOSE (hydroxyethylcellulose) — Global Cosmetic Regulatory & Formulation Monograph

- **Canonical URL**: https://www.inciname.com/en/ingredients/hydroxyethylcellulose
- **Standard INCI**: `HYDROXYETHYLCELLULOSE`
- **KR MFDS Standard Name**: `하이드록시에틸셀룰로오스`
- **CAS No.**: `9004-62-0`
- **EC / EINECS No.**: `N/A`
- **Origin**: `synthetic`
- **Functions**: 필름형성제, 점도조절제, 결합제, 유화안정제, 광안정제
- **Molecular Formula / MW**: `(C2H6O2)x` (— g/mol)

## 1. 7-Track Official Regulatory Label Names
| Track | Official Label Nomenclature |
| :--- | :--- |
| KR (MFDS Standard) | 하이드록시에틸셀룰로오스 |
| KR (Former Names) | 하이드록시에칠셀룰로오스 |
| EU (CosIng 1223/2009) | HYDROXYETHYLCELLULOSE |
| US (PCPC / MoCRA INCI) | HYDROXYETHYLCELLULOSE |
| US (FDA OTC Monograph) | — |
| CN (NMPA IECIC) | 羟乙基纤维素 |
| JP (JCIA / MHLW QD) | ヒドロキシエチルセルロース (QD: ヒドロキシエチルセルロース) |

## 2. Layer 1 — Global 6-Region Statutory Summary
- **KR (MFDS)**: `none`
- **EU (1223/2009)**: `none`
- **US (FDA/MoCRA)**: `none`
- **CN (NMPA IECIC)**: `allowed` (Entry: `5294`)
- **JP (MHLW)**: `none`
- **ASEAN (ACD)**: `none`



## 3. Layer 2 — Toxicological & Historical Safe Use Concentrations
- **cn_iecic_max** (leave_on): ≤ 3% — NMPA IECIC (2025) Entry 05348 (2025)
- **cn_iecic_max** (rinse_off): ≤ 3% — NMPA IECIC (2025) Entry 05348 (2025)

## 4. Layer 3 — Formulation Quartiles & Compatibility
- **Optimal pH Window**: 2 – 10
- **Max Process Temp**: ≤ 85°C
- **Synergy Pairings**: COPPER TRIPEPTIDE-1, BEHENTRIMONIUM CHLORIDE, ZINC PCA
- **Incompatibilities**: 100% compatible with cationics and metal ions (GHK-Cu); high levels (>0.8%) may cause film rolling upon drying

## 5. Academic Monograph
■ [1. Chemical Identity & International Labeling Nomenclature]
  - INCI Name: HYDROXYETHYLCELLULOSE | CAS No.: 9004-62-0 | EC No.: N/A
  - Origin: SYNTHETIC | Functions: , , , , 
  - Physicochemical Profile: Formula (C2H6O2)x | MW /(Polymer/Complex) | /   | Ionic Nature: non-ionic | PubChem CID 4327536
  - Official Regional Label Names: US [HYDROXYETHYLCELLULOSE] · EU [HYDROXYETHYLCELLULOSE] · CN [羟乙基纤维素] · JP [ヒドロキシエチルセルロース] · JP Quasi-Drug [ヒドロキシエチルセルロース]
■ [2. Dermatological Mechanism of Action & Functional Role]
  - Cellulose, 2-hydroxyethyl ether Classified under origin 'synthetic', it acts within the cosmetic vehicle or stratum corneum to deliver , , , ,  performance and structural formulation stability.
■ [3. Global 6-Jurisdiction Regulatory Status & Safety Limits (Layer 1 & Layer 2)]
  - Regional Summary: KR: NONE | EU: NONE | US: NONE | CN: ALLOWED | JP: NONE | ASEAN: NONE (CN IECIC (2025) Entry No. 5294 (羟乙基纤维素))
  - No specific Annex prohibition or numeric restriction across the 6 major jurisdictions (Permitted under general GMP safety assessment).
  - Official Safety & Historical Use Concentration (Layer 2): CN_IECIC_2025 (cn_iecic_max, leave_on): Max 3.0% / CN_IECIC_2025 (cn_iecic_max, rinse_off): Max 3.0%
■ [4. Formulation Dosage Guide by Product Category (Layer 3-A)]
  - [aqueous_serum] Typical range: 0.15 ~ 1.5% (Median 0.5%, Ref: Ashland Natrosol 250HHR TDS & CIR Assessment) — Non-ionic clear aqueous serum & sheet-mask thickener
  - [emulsion_cream] Typical range: 0.2 ~ 1.0% (Median 0.5%, Ref: Global Starter Formulation Library Statistical Distribution (n=12, EVONIK 8 · GRANT 4)) — Emulsion cream & lotion structural / conditioning agent
■ [5. Formulation Engineering, Stability & Incompatibility Matrix (Layer 3-B)]
  - Addition Phase: Water Phase (Disperse in cold water, then warm to 60~70°C or adjust pH to 7.5 for rapid hydration)
  - Optimal pH Range: pH 2.0 ~ 10.0 | Max Process Temp: Max 85°C | Electrolyte Tolerance: HIGH
  - Incompatibility / Caution: 100% compatible with cationics and metal ions (GHK-Cu); high levels (>0.8%) may cause film rolling upon drying
  - Synergy Pairings: COPPER TRIPEPTIDE-1, BEHENTRIMONIUM CHLORIDE, ZINC PCA | Reference Trade Names: Natrosol™ 250HHR, Cellosize™ QP
■ [6. Peer-Reviewed Literature & Official Compendia Evidence]
  - PMID 42214523 (2026, Int J Biol Macromol): Hydroxyethyl cellulose as carbohydrate polymer scaffold for surfactant-free serums with enhanced hydration and structura
  - PMID 41299619 (2025, J Nanobiotechnology): A simple and effective hydrogel dressing for advanced management of full-thickness skin wound by multi-functional strate
  - PMID 41105561 (2025, ACS Biomater Sci Eng): The Structural Design and Experimental Analysis of a Microneedle with Microchannels: Capable of Achieving Ultrafast Body

## 6. Linked PubMed Literature
- [PMID: 42214523] Hydroxyethyl cellulose as carbohydrate polymer scaffold for surfactant-free serums with enhanced hydration and structural stability — *Int J Biol Macromol* (2026)
- [PMID: 41299619] A simple and effective hydrogel dressing for advanced management of full-thickness skin wound by multi-functional strategies — *J Nanobiotechnology* (2025)
- [PMID: 41105561] The Structural Design and Experimental Analysis of a Microneedle with Microchannels: Capable of Achieving Ultrafast Body Fluid Extraction — *ACS Biomater Sci Eng* (2025)
- [PMID: 40494416] Liposomes containing sorbitan monolaurate incorporated in hydroxyethylcellulose hydrogels for topical delivery of 5-fluorouracil: rheological characterization, skin penetration and cytotoxicity study — *J Pharm Sci* (2025)
- [PMID: 39861278] Adsorption and Bulk Assembly of Quaternized Hydroxyethylcellulose-Anionic Surfactant Complexes on Negatively Charged Substrates — *Polymers (Basel)* (2025)
- [PMID: 39457528] The Wound-Healing Effect of a Novel Fibroblasts-Impregnated Hydroxyethylcellulose Gel in a Rat Full-Thickness Burn Model: A Preclinical Study — *Biomedicines* (2024)
- [PMID: 42177899] Multifunctional hybrid lipid-polymeric nanoparticle enabling resveratrol and siRNA co-delivery for enhanced cutaneous wound repair — *Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces* (2026)
- [PMID: 41507660] Development, Stability, and Clinical Efficacy of an Oil-in-Serum Formulation with Olive Extract Standardized in Hydroxytyrosol for Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation Treatment — *AAPS PharmSciTech* (2026)
- [PMID: 41366278] Colloidal stability and controlled release of Au@SiO₂ and Ag@SiO₂ core-shell nanostructures from biopolymer-based hydrogels — *Sci Rep* (2025)
- [PMID: 39638175] Evaluation of smart bi-functional dressing based on polysaccharide hydrogels and Brassica oleracea extract for wound healing and continuous monitoring — *Int J Biol Macromol* (2025)
- [PMID: 39339083] Insulin-Loaded Chitosan-Cellulose-Derivative Hydrogels: In Vitro Permeation of Hormone through Strat-M(®) Membrane and Rheological and Textural Analysis — *Polymers (Basel)* (2024)
- [PMID: 39044206] Development of novel antimicrobials with engineered endolysin LysECD7-SMAP to combat Gram-negative bacterial infections — *J Biomed Sci* (2024)