Starch Acetate
AKA “Acetylated Starch”
Emollient
Ingredient Facts
Starch acetate
AKA: Acetylated Starch
Emollient · Emollient · EWG: 1
Synthetic
Emollient
Skin Conditioner
Hair Care
Clean
Starch Acetate is the product obtained by the reaction of acetic acid and starch
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.
Emollient
Fills in the tiny cracks between skin cells to make everything feel smooth and soft. The "silky finish" ingredient.
Locks In Moisture
Traditional Use
Modern derivative of starch created through acetylation. Developed in the 20th century as a thickening and absorbent agent for cosmetics, building on the historical use of various starches in traditional body powders and foundation products.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
EWG
1
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
Sodium Oxidized Starch Acetate/Succinate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Starch Acetate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Starch Acetate/Adipate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Starch Acetate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Verified Jun 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR