How we scored it
Where it comes from
Styrene, propylene and ethylene from steam cracking are copolymerised and the polymer is hydrogenated to remove residual unsaturation. No bio-based route is commercial.
In plain English
A synthetic hydrocarbon polymer made from styrene, propylene and ethylene, then hydrogenated. It thickens oils and gels, adds softness and helps protect colour against light in lip and sun products.
CosIng definition: Ethenylbenzene, polymer with propene and ethene, hydrogenated
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References
- 1ISO 16128-1:2016 and ISO 16128-2:2017 — Guidelines on technical definitions and criteria for natural and organic cosmetic ingredients and products. ISO, Geneva.
- 2HYDROGENATED ETHYLENE/PROPYLENE/STYRENE COPOLYMER. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
- 3HYDROGENATED ETHYLENE/PROPYLENE/STYRENE COPOLYMER. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=HYDROGENATED%20ETHYLENE/PROPYLENE/STYRENE%20COPOLYMER