Polyisobutene
Reviewed by Kate · Last updated 18 Aug 2026
Polymer of the hydrocarbon isobutylene obtained from petroleum oil
EWG Safety Score
What Is Polyisobutene?
Polymer of the hydrocarbon isobutylene obtained from petroleum oil. It functions as a thickening and film-forming agent and does not penetrate skin due to its large molecular size.
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Polyisobutene is a variant of Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, the form you will most often see on an ingredients list.
Synthetic emollient that provides moisture retention
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Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
Synthetic emollient that provides moisture retention
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