SPF Scout · Ingredient

Microcrystalline Cellulose

Abrasive (physically scrubs)Absorbent (takes up oil or water)Anticaking (keeps powder free-flowing)Bulking agent (adds volume)Emulsion stabilizer (keeps oil and water mixed)Light stabilizer (protects the formula from light)Opacifier (makes the formula less see-through)otherViscosity control (thickens or thins the formula)

CAS 9004-34-6

What this ingredient generally does

This is a multipurpose ingredient made from cellulose. It adjusts thickness, absorbs liquid, keeps the oil and water parts from separating, and makes the product look opaque. It also acts as a light stabilizer and a mild scrubbing agent.

Reviewed before publication. This note describes function in a formulation, and nothing else.

Published formulations that list this ingredient

These are the formulations currently published in the SPF Scout catalog whose stored ingredient declaration includes this ingredient. It is not a list of every product on the market, and the order carries no meaning.

Checking this against your own list

You can select this ingredient in the SPF Scout app as one to flag. The app compares your selections against a product's stored declaration on your device; your list never reaches this website.

This comparison does not predict whether your skin will react.

Where this information comes from

Ingredient names, CAS numbers and recorded functions come from SPF Scout’s curated ingredient dictionary, grounded in CosIng, the European Commission’s Cosmetic Ingredient Database. Content © European Union, reused with acknowledgement.

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