What it is
Polyethylene is a versatile synthetic polymer that, depending on its molecular weight, can act as a thickening and bulking agent or as a wax-like structuring material. In sun sticks and balms it helps build firmness and a smooth glide, while in creams and lotions it adjusts viscosity and texture. It is widely used across cosmetic categories.
Safety & warnings
Polyethylene is an inert, non-reactive ingredient that is generally well tolerated on skin. As a solid plastic polymer, its former use as exfoliating microbeads in rinse-off products raised environmental microplastic concerns and led to bans in several markets; in leave-on formats it functions as a structuring or thickening material rather than as beads.
Origin & sourcing
Synthetic. It is manufactured by polymerizing ethylene into long polymer chains, then processed into powders, waxes, or granules suited to different formulation needs.
Questions everyone asks
Why is polyethylene in sun sticks?
In stick formats, wax-like polyethylene helps give the product its solid structure, firmness, and smooth glide on application.
Does polyethylene provide sun protection?
No. It is a structuring and texture ingredient and does not act as a UV filter or contribute to SPF.