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Polymethyl Methacrylate
AKA “Polymethyl Methacrylate”
Ingredient
Ingredient Facts
Polymethyl methacrylate
Ingredient · Film Forming · EWG: 4
Plant-Derived Synthetic
Occlusive
Not Clean
2-Propenoic acid, 2-methyl-, methyl ester, homopolymer
CAS #
9011-14-7
See origin →
Functions
Film Forming
Creates a physical seal on skin to lock moisture in and keep irritants out. The "slugging" ingredient — barrier protection.
Creates Protective Barrier
UV Protection
Fights Bacteria
Traditional Use
A synthetic acrylic polymer developed in the early 20th century. Used in cosmetics since the mid-20th century as a film-forming agent, absorbent, and in color cosmetics for texture and spreadability.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
EWG
4
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
ewg-4
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Regulatory Status
USA✔ permitted
EU⚠ restricted
JAPAN⚠ restricted
CANADA⚠ restricted
Final report of the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel safety assessment of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), methyl methacrylate crosspolymer, and
Becker LC, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Hill RA, Klaassen CD et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2011
→
Final report of the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel safety assessment of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), methyl methacrylate crosspolymer, and
Becker LC, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Hill RA, Klaassen CD et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2011
→
Final report of the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel safety assessment of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), methyl methacrylate crosspolymer, and
Becker LC, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Hill RA, Klaassen CD et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2011
→
Final report of the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel safety assessment of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), methyl methacrylate crosspolymer, and
Becker LC, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Hill RA, Klaassen CD et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2011
→
Final Report of the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel Safety Assessment of Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA), Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer and Methyl Methacrylate/Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspol
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
→
Polymethyl Methacrylate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
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Polymethyl Methacrylate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
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Verified Jun 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR