Clear glass Erlenmeyer flask containing a small amount of colorless liquid on a white surface with a pale blue background

The Beauty & Personal Care Brand Builder Series

Ingredient Deep Dive

Hydrogenated Polyisobutene

The Beauty & Personal Care Brand Builder Series

Ingredient Deep Dive

Hydrogenated Polyisobutene

A Glossy, Cushioning Emollient

Hydrogenated Polyisobutene is a saturated synthetic hydrocarbon emollient, supplied as a clear oil ranging from light to heavy grades.

It gives gloss, cushion and a protective, water-resistant film — widely used from lip products to long-wear make-up and rich moisturizers.

Quick Insights

Ingredient Rating:

GOOD

Type of Ingredient:

Emollient

Intended Function:

A stable synthetic emollient giving gloss, cushion and a protective, water-resistant film.

Common Applications:

Used in lip care, long-wear make-up, sun care and rich moisturizers.

Target Audience:

Brands wanting gloss, cushion and water resistance from a stable synthetic emollient.

Also Known As:

Hydrogenated Polyisobutene

Benefits of Hydrogenated Polyisobutene

A dependable functional ingredient that does its job elegantly.

Gloss & Shine: Adds shine and a plush feel (a common mineral-oil / lanolin alternative).
Cushion & Occlusion: Forms a protective film that softens and limits moisture loss.
Water Resistance: Improves wear and water resistance of make-up and sun care.
Very Stable: Saturated and oxidation-resistant.
Tunable: Grades from light to heavy for different textures.

How It Works

The saturated iso-paraffinic structure is inert and film-forming, giving a glossy, cushiony, water-resistant finish and excellent stability — which is why it appears in everything from lip gloss to long-wear foundation and rich creams.

Formulating with Hydrogenated Polyisobutene

Oil-phase; choose a grade for the desired gloss/body. Excellent for wear, shine and water resistance.

Safety Analysis

Hydrogenated Polyisobutene is an inert, well-tolerated emollient. Substantiate the finished product (patch / HRIPT) per MoCRA.

References

https://incidecoder.com/ingredients/hydrogenated-polyisobutene

https://cosmetics.specialchem.com/inci-ingredients/hydrogenated-polyisobutene

https://cosmeticsinfo.org/ingredient/hydrogenated-polyisobutene/

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