Database/Light Stabilizer/Methyl Hydroxyethylcellulose
Mostly natural · ISO 16128

Is Methyl Hydroxyethylcellulose natural?

Mostly. The glucose-polymer cellulose backbone is natural; the methyl (from methyl chloride) and hydroxyethyl (from ethylene oxide) substituents are petrochemical.

INCI nameMethyl Hydroxyethylcellulose
CAS9032-42-2
FormulaC34H66O24 · 858.9 Da
FunctionLight Stabilizer · Viscosity Controlling
FeedstockMade by partially methylating and hydroxyethylating wood- or…

How we scored it

Cellulose repeat unit 162 Da (natural) + assumed 1.5 methyl DS x14 Da + 0.3 HE MS x44 Da petrochemical = 196 Da total; 162/196=0.83; typical commercial DS assumed.
What counts. ISO 16128-2 scores the atoms that remain in the final ingredient. Reagents, solvents, catalysts and protecting groups used during manufacture leave no mass behind and are not counted.

How it’s made

Alkali cellulose: SN2 on methyl chloride and ethylene oxide opening, then protonation. Each curved arrow moves one electron pair, and the film ends on the score above.

Where it comes from

Made by partially methylating and hydroxyethylating wood- or cotton-derived cellulose with methyl chloride and ethylene oxide. Degree of substitution varies by commercial grade, which affects the exact index.

In plain English

A plant-cellulose thickener chemically modified with small synthetic groups to help it dissolve and thicken water-based formulas.

CosIng definition: Cellulose methyl ether, 2-hydroxyethyl ether

Natural alternatives with the same function

Asiatic Acid 100% natural origin

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 Beta-Sitosterol 100% natural origin

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 Cholesterol 100% natural origin

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 Esculin 100% natural origin

A natural coumarin glycoside from horse chestnut bark and leaves, used to help protect skin from light damage.…

 Glucose Oxidase 100% natural origin

An enzyme made by fermenting a common fungus, used in small amounts to help stabilise formulas. Note: the…

 Hydrogenated Tallow Glyceride 100% natural origin

An emollient and thickener made by combining animal fat (tallow) with glycerin, then hardening it through hydrogenation. It…

Structure

2D structure of Methyl Hydroxyethylcellulose

ethane-1,2-diol;2-(hydroxymethyl)-6-[4,5,6-trihydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-3-yl]oxyoxane-3,4,5-triol;2,3,4-trimethoxy-6-(methoxymethyl)-5-[3,4,5-trimethoxy-6-(methoxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxyoxane

PubChem CID 146160861 ↗

References

  1. 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.
  2. 2Methyl Hydroxyethylcellulose. PubChem CID 146160861. National Center for Biotechnology Information. pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
  3. 3METHYL HYDROXYETHYLCELLULOSE. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
  4. 4METHYL HYDROXYETHYLCELLULOSE. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=METHYL%20HYDROXYETHYLCELLULOSE