How we scored it
Where it comes from
Produced by polymerizing mixed butene isomers recovered from petroleum refinery cracker streams. No commercial bio-based butene route exists for this polymer.
In plain English
A synthetic thickening polymer made by polymerizing butene gases from petroleum refining. Used in lip glosses and lotions to add gloss, body, and a tacky binding feel. Fully synthetic, with no plant or mineral origin.
CosIng definition: Polybutene is the polymer formed by the polymerization of a mixture of iso- and normal butenes.
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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.
- 2POLYBUTENE. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
- 3POLYBUTENE. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=POLYBUTENE