Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose

hy-DROX-ee-PRO-pil meth-ul-SEL-yoo-lose

Film Former, Thickener 9/10 Safety CG ApprovedClean Semi-synthetic Vegan

What Is Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose?

A semi-synthetic polymer derived from cellulose. It serves as a thickener, film former, and emulsion stabilizer in hair and skincare products.

Source: Cellulose (wood pulp) chemically modified

Origin: Semi-synthetic

Also known as: HPMC, Hypromellose

What Does Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Do to Your Hair?

Creates clear, smooth gel textures in products while providing a mild film-forming effect on hair. Helps stabilize emulsions and improves product spreadability. Provides very light hold.

Best For

All hair types, fine hair

Not Recommended For

None known

Concentration Matters

0.5-2% in products

Hair Type Compatibility

1A Straight Fine
1B Straight Medium
1C Straight Coarse
2A Wavy Fine
2B Wavy Medium
2C Wavy Coarse
3A Curly Loose
3B Curly Tight
3C Curly Corkscrew
4A Coily S-Shaped
4B Coily Z-Shaped
4C Coily Tight

Method Compatibility

Curly Girl (CG) Method: Approved
CG Approved

Safety & Regulation

9/10
AvoidCautionSafe

Very safe with extensive use in both cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. Used as a coating in oral medications. Non-toxic and non-irritating.

FDA Status: Generally Recognized As Safe

FDA approves for pharmaceutical and cosmetic use. Used in oral drug delivery.

EWG Score: 1/10

HairAide Verdict

A totally safe, functional ingredient that gives products their texture. You will barely notice it on your hair but it makes your products work better. Nothing to worry about.

Products That Contain Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose

Styling gels, leave-in treatments, shampoos, conditioners

Alternatives to Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose

If you want to avoid Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, look for products with these ingredients instead:

Hydroxyethylcellulose, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose safe for hair?

Yes, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose has a safety rating of 9/10 and is generally considered safe for use in hair products. Very safe with extensive use in both cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. Used as a coating in oral medications. Non-toxic and non-irritating.

Is Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose bad for curly hair?

Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose is CG-method approved and is generally considered safe for curly hair.

Is Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose CG-method approved?

Yes, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose is approved for the Curly Girl method.

What can I use instead of Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose?

Some alternatives to Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose include: Hydroxyethylcellulose, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer

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