Database/Abrasive/Microcrystalline Cellulose
100% natural origin · ISO 16128

Is Microcrystalline Cellulose natural?

Yes. Physically and chemically purified wood or cotton cellulose with no substituent groups added; an unmodified natural polysaccharide.

INCI nameMicrocrystalline Cellulose
CAS9004-34-6
FunctionAbrasive · Absorbent
FeedstockProduced by controlled acid hydrolysis of wood pulp…

How we scored it

Purified crystalline cellulose isolated by acid hydrolysis of amorphous regions; hydrolysis reagents leave no mass. 1.0.
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

Acid hydrolysis of a glycosidic bond (oxocarbenium ion, water attack). Each curved arrow moves one electron pair, and the film ends on the score above.

Where it comes from

Produced by controlled acid hydrolysis of wood pulp or cotton cellulose to remove amorphous regions, leaving the crystalline cellulose core. No synthetic route exists.

In plain English

A fine powder of purified plant cellulose used as a bulking agent and mild exfoliant. It's made from wood or cotton fibre by removing the softer, amorphous parts, with no chemical modification.

CosIng definition: Microcrystalline Cellulose is the isolated, colloidal crystalline portion of cellulose fibers.

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. 2MICROCRYSTALLINE CELLULOSE. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
  3. 3MICROCRYSTALLINE CELLULOSE. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=MICROCRYSTALLINE%20CELLULOSE