Cellulose is a plant-derived polysaccharide used in skincare as a thickening, stabilizing, and absorbent agent, and in exfoliant or film-forming roles. It is generally inert and well tolerated as a formulation base ingredient.
| Reported effect | How often | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Mild transient skin irritation | Rare | Occasional mild redness or irritation, often related to particle abrasiveness in scrubs. |
Allergic contact dermatitis | Very rare | Sensitization to cellulose itself is exceedingly uncommon; reactions usually involve other formulation components. |
Eye irritation | Rare | Possible mechanical irritation from cellulose particles if products contact the eyes. |
Frequencies reflect typical cosmetic use reported in the literature, not a guarantee for your skin.