HEMA
AKA “2-HYDROXYETHYL METHACRYLATE, Glycol methacrylate, Hydroxyethyl methacrylate, Ethylene glycol methacrylate, Glycol monomethacrylate, 2-(Methacryloyloxy)ethanol, 2-Hydroxyethylmethacrylate, Mhoromer”
Synthetic
Ingredient Facts
HEMA
AKA: 2-HYDROXYETHYL METHACRYLATE, Glycol methacrylate, Hydroxyethyl methacrylate, Ethylene glycol methacrylate, Glycol monomethacrylate, 2-(Methacryloyloxy)ethanol, 2-Hydroxyethylmethacrylate, Mhoromer
Synthetic · Film Forming · EWG: 4
Synthetic
Occlusive
Synthetic
Clean
A flexible polymer that bonds to nails, creating a strong, sculpted structure. Allows for extended wear and shape retention without chipping.
Effective at 63.8%
Solubility Miscible with water and soluble in common org solvents
Formula
C6H10O3
Mol. Weight
130.14
CAS #
868-77-9
Form
Liquid
State
Liquid
See origin →
Functions
Film Forming
Creates a physical seal on skin to lock moisture in and keep irritants out. The "slugging" ingredient — barrier protection.
Nail Sculpting
Moisturizing
Locks in moisture to keep skin soft and supple throughout the day
Antioxidant
Protects skin from free radical damage caused by UV, pollution, and stress
Strengthens Barrier
Builds nail structure
Traditional Use
HEMA (hydroxyethyl methacrylate) was developed in the mid-20th century as a synthetic monomer. It is used in cosmetics as a film-forming and conditioning agent, and was instrumental in developing soft contact lens technology.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Melanin-Rich Skin
Suitable
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Caution
EWG
4
CIR
Safe w/Qualifications
Pregnancy
Caution
CIR Safety Findings
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Concentration Guide
35.8%
91.8%
0%100%
Effective Range
CIR reported use: 35.8-91.8
Regulatory Agencies
Butyl Acrylate/Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate Copolymer
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
C6-14 Perfluoroalkylethyl Acrylate/HEMA Copolymer
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Di-HEMA Trimethylhexyl Dicarbamate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
HEMA
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
HEMA Acetoacetate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Methoxydiglycol Methacrylate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Phosphorylcholine Glycol Methacrylate/PEG-10 Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Di-HEMA Trimethylhexyl Dicarbamate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
HEMA
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
HEMA Acetoacetate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Monoclonal antibody targeting BDCA2 ameliorates skin lesions in systemic lupus erythematosus.
Furie R, Werth VP, Merola JF, Stevenson L, Reynolds TL et al.
The Journal of clinical investigation, 2019
Cytotoxicity study of homopolymers and copolymers of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and some alkyl acrylates for potential use as temporary skin substitu
Prasitsilp M, Siriwittayakorn T, Molloy R, Suebsanit N, Siriwittayakorn P et al.
Journal of materials science. Materials in medicine, 2003
Mathematical models of the effectiveness and persistence of mosquito repellents.
Rutledge LC, Wirtz RA, Buescher MD, Mehr ZA
Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association, 1985
Shiitake mushroom-induced flagellate erythema: A striking...
Audrey S Wang, Keira L Barr, Jared Jagdeo
Dermatology online journal, 2013
Verified Feb 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR