Potassium Dextrin Octenylsuccinate
AKA “Modified starch, Absorbent, Film-former”
Surfactant
Ingredient Facts
Potassium dextrin octenylsuccinate
AKA: Modified starch, Absorbent, Film-former
Surfactant · Emulsifying · EWG: 4
Synthetic
Cleanser
Emulsifier
Skin Conditioner
Hair Care
Not Clean
Potassium salt of the reaction product of octenylsuccinic anhydride with dextrin
Form
Powder
See origin →
Functions
Hair Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Skin Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Emulsifying
Forces oil and water to stay mixed instead of separating into layers. The unsung hero holding your lotion together.
Locks in moisture
Traditional Use
A modern synthetic polymer developed in the 20th century as a film-forming and suspending agent for cosmetics. Created to provide texture and stability to personal care products without natural precedent.
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
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Concentration Guide
Dermal absorption: 2%. Source: CIR Safety Assessment (CIR Seq 680).
Regulatory Agencies
Potassium Dextrin Octenylsuccinate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Laser scanning microscopy for control of skin decontamination efficacy from airborne particulates using highly absorbent textile nanofiber material in
Lademann J, Richter H, Patzelt A, Meinke MC, Gross I et al.
Skin research and technology : official journal of International Society for Bioengineering and the Skin (ISBS) [and] International Society for Digital Imaging of Skin (ISDIS) [and] International Society for Skin Imaging (ISSI), 2020
Absorbent bioactive aerogels based on germinated wheat starch and grape skin extract.
Silva FT, Fonseca LM, Bruni GP, Crizel RL, Oliveira EG et al.
International journal of biological macromolecules, 2023
Absorbent bioactive aerogels based on germinated wheat starch and grape skin extract.
Silva FT, Fonseca LM, Bruni GP, Crizel RL, Oliveira EG et al.
International journal of biological macromolecules, 2023
Verified Jun 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR