Is hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) safe?-The answer to the customer’s biggest concern is here

As an ordinary consumer, you may have seen "hydroxyethyl cellulose" (HEC for short) in the ingredient lists of skincare products, shampoos and even medicines, but what is it exactly?Is it safe to use in products?

1. What is hydroxyethyl cellulose?Why do I need it?

HEC is a safe ingredient processed from plant cellulose (e.g., wood, cotton) that primarily serves to thicken, moisturize, and give products a more consistent texture.For example:

Shampoo: avoid the liquid being too thin and squeezing out like water;

Mask serum: keep it thick for good application, not easy to drip;

Ointment: to help the active ingredients evenly distributed, not caking.

2. Is it safe to use on the body?Will it irritate the skin?

The answer: safe for most people and extremely low irritation.

Endorsement by Authorities: The US FDA and the EU Cosmetic Safety Commission (SCCS) allow HEC to be used in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, and have not set a concentration limit (indicating high safety).Toxicology test: Experiments show that HEC is non-irritating and non-sensitizing to the skin, and even if accidentally ingested, it is directly excreted because it cannot be absorbed by the body.Practical use: Widely used in baby skin care products, medical dressings (e.g. burn cream), suitable for sensitive skin.

3. Are there risks associated with long-term use of HEC-containing products?

There is no evidence that long-term use will accumulate toxicity or carcinogenicity. HEC belongs to the large molecule structure, can not penetrate the skin into the bloodstream, only on the surface of the skin to play the role of moisturizing and thickening, after use normal washing can be.

4. What situations require attention?

Although HEC is safe, extreme cases need to be watched out for:

Allergies: A very small number of people may be sensitive to cellulose-based ingredients; do a behind-the-ear test before use.

Inhalation risk: HEC powder (in industrial raw state) may irritate the respiratory tract, but it is dissolved in finished products (e.g., creams, shampoos) and is not a cause for concern.

Choose regular products: Industrial grade HEC is different in purity from cosmetic grade, recognize regular brands to avoid impurity problems.

5. How About Melacoll HEC?

Melacoll HEC is a high quality product that Mikem has devoted itself to, and has now completed its product upgrade by upgrading its workshop production line to meet international standards.Besides being used in emulsion paints and adhesives, it also plays an important role in stone drilling, cosmetics and detergents.

To summarize: is HEC safe?

Safe: recognized by mainstream institutions, hypoallergenic and low irritation, no need to worry about daily use.

Practical: Improve the feel of the product and help the active ingredients to work.

Note: Choose regular products, abnormal allergies immediately stop using (very low probability).