Polyvinylpyrrolidone PVP in cosmetics and personal care products

With the increasing pursuit of health and beauty, the cosmetics and personal care industry is also growing. The development of this industry depends not only on innovative formulations and designs, but also on the application of functional raw materials to enhance product performance and user experience. Polyvinylpyrrolidone. As a multifunctional synthetic polymer, PVP has become an important component in cosmetics and personal care products due to its unique physical and chemical properties.
PVP is widely used in various products because of its good water solubility, film forming and biocompatibility. This paper aims to explore the specific application of PVP in cosmetics and personal care products, analyze its mechanism of action in different products, and look into its future development trend (MDPI).
1. Basic characteristics of PVP
Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) is a non-ionic water-soluble polymer with hydrophilic groups in its molecular structure, so it has good solubility. PVP has a wide range of molecular weights, from low to high molecular weight, which allows it to perform different functions in different applications.

Water solubility
PVP dissolves quickly in water to form a transparent solution, which makes it ideal for use in cosmetics and personal care products, especially in products that require a clear, smooth texture.
필름 형성 특성
PVP forms a flexible and transparent film after the water evaporates, which allows it to effectively maintain the styling effect in hair styling products without appearing sticky or stiff.
Chemical stability
The chemical stability of PVP is not easy to react with other ingredients, which makes it able to maintain the stability of the product for a long time and extend the shelf life of the product (IntechOpen-OpenScienceOpenMinds).
2The application of PVP in cosmetics
Moisturizing and film forming
PVP is widely used in various skin care products because of its excellent hygroscopicity and film forming ability. Its hygroscopic properties allow PVP to absorb and retain moisture from the air, helping the skin stay hydrated. Because PVP is able to form a thin protective film on the surface of the skin, this film not only prevents water loss, but also enhances the smoothness and softness of the skin. Therefore, in moisturizers, facial masks and lotions, PVP is often used as a moisturizer and film forming agent to enhance the use experience of the product (IntechOpen-OpenScienceOpenMinds).
Hair product
PVP is also widely used in hair styling products, such as hair gels, mousses and waxes. The film formation of PVP plays a crucial role in these products. It can form a transparent film on the surface of the hair, making the hair styling effect more lasting and natural. In addition, the film formed by PVP is elastic and does not make the hair appear stiff, so that the hair maintains a natural sense of flow and gloss. This property makes PVP an indispensable ingredient in hair products, especially in products that pursue high durability and comfort (MDPI)(IntechOpen-OpenScienceOpenMinds).
Makeup products
In makeup products, PVP is mainly used to improve the adhesion and durability of the product. For example, in lipstick, eyeliner, and nail polish, PVP can enhance the adhesion of pigments and other active ingredients and prevent makeup removal. At the same time, due to the film-forming characteristics of PVP, it can form a uniform film after application, thus improving the durability of makeup, making makeup more durable and not easy to smudge. In addition, PVP can also be used as a thickening agent to make the texture of makeup products more smooth and even, and improve the user’s feeling of use (IntechOpen-OpenScienceOpenMinds).
3PVP application in personal care products
Oral care
In oral care products, PVP is widely used for its thickening, dispersing and stabilizing properties, especially in toothpaste and mouthwash. PVP can effectively improve the texture of the product, so that the toothpaste is smoother, easy to extrusion, and can be evenly distributed on the surface of the tooth when used. In addition, PVP also acts as a dispersant, helping active ingredients such as fluoride to be evenly distributed in the mouth, thus enhancing the cleaning effect and protecting the teeth. In mouthwash, PVP helps to prolong the residence time of the active ingredient in the mouth and improve the overall effect of the product (IntechOpen-OpenScienceOpenMinds).
Shaving product
In shaving products, PVP, as a film forming agent and moisturizer, can significantly enhance the shaving experience. In shaving foam and shaving cream, PVP can form a protective film on the surface of the skin, reducing friction between the razor and the skin, which in turn reduces skin irritation and damage. This film-forming property makes the shaving process smoother and allows the razor to slide over the skin more easily, thus reducing post-shave skin discomfort. In addition, the moisturizing properties of PVP can also help keep the skin hydrated after shaving, prevent skin dryness and peeling, and further improve the skin’s softness and comfort (IntechOpen-OpenScienceOpenMinds).
Sun protection and skin care products
In addition to its use in shaving and oral care products, PVP also plays an important role in sunscreens and other skin care products. In sunscreens, PVP is used as a film forming agent to help distribute sunscreen evenly on the skin, enhance the sunscreen effect and extend the durability of the product. In addition, PVP can also stabilize the formula of the product and prevent the degradation of sunscreen and other active ingredients, thereby improving the overall performance of the product. In skin care products, the moisturizing and film-forming properties of PVP can provide an additional protective barrier to the skin, preventing moisture loss and maintaining the skin’s hydration level (MDPI) in hot or dry environments (IntechOpen-OpenScienceOpenMinds).
4PVP security and regulatory compliance
Security assessment
Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) is widely considered safe for use in cosmetics and personal care products due to its good biocompatibility and low toxicity. Multiple studies have shown that PVP does not cause skin allergies or irritating reactions at recommended concentrations, and that its molecular structure makes it difficult to absorb through the skin, further reducing potential systemic toxicity (MDPI)(IntechOpen-OpenScienceOpenMinds).
Specifically, the security of PVP is mainly reflected in the following aspects:
Skin irritation
A number of animal experiments and human experiments have shown that PVP is not irritating to the skin when used at low concentrations, and is suitable for sensitive skin people.
anaphylaxis
The application of PVP in cosmetics rarely causes allergic reactions, so it is widely used in various skin care products, including sensitive skin care products.
Toxicological study
Long-term toxicological studies have shown that PVP does not accumulate in the body, and the metabolites do not pose a threat to human health (IntechOpen-OpenScienceOpenMinds).
Regulations and standards
Globally, there are clear regulations and standards for the use of PVP. The use of PVP in cosmetics and personal care products has been approved by several international bodies, including the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the European Union Cosmetic Regulation (ECNo.1223/2009). National regulations usually specify the maximum concentration of PVP used and the applicable product type to ensure its safe use.
FDA
PVP as “GenerallyRecognizedAsSafe” (GRAS), which is generally accepted that the safety of substances, which can be widely used in cosmetics and personal care products.
Eu cosmetics regulation
The EU Cosmetic Regulation sets out the conditions for the use of PVP in cosmetics, ensuring its safety and efficacy (MDPI) during use (IntechOpen-OpenScienceOpenMinds).
Under the guidance of these regulations and standards, the application of PVP not only meets the needs of product performance, but also guarantees the safety of consumers. The existence of these regulations has also prompted companies to pay more attention to the safety and compliance of formulations when developing new products.
Industry practices and compliance
In order to ensure the safe application of PVP, the cosmetics and personal care industry usually conducts rigorous product testing and risk assessment, including skin sensitivity testing, long-term safety assessment, and so on. In addition, the industry will also refer to international standards, such as the ISO Cosmetic safety standard, to develop guidelines for the use of PVP.
The future application and development trend of PVP
With the continuous progress of cosmetics and personal care products industry, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as a multi-functional polymer has broad prospects for future applications. Here are some possible trends and innovative application areas for PVP.
The application of new skin care technologies
With the growing consumer demand for efficient and personalized skin care products, PVP is expected to play a bigger role in smart skin care products. For example, PVP can be used to develop skin care products that respond to environmental changes (such as temperature, humidity), which automatically adjust their efficacy according to external conditions. In addition, the film-forming properties of PVP can be combined with microencapsulation technology to control the release of active ingredients, resulting in a longer-lasting skin care effect (MDPI).
Combining innovations in nanotechnology
The development of nanotechnology opens up new possibilities for the application of PVP. PVP can be used as a substrate for nanocarriers to help deliver active ingredients precisely to the deeper layers of the skin, enhancing the efficacy and stability of the product. For example, PVP-based nanoparticles can be used in anti-aging products to achieve a more significant anti-aging effect by enhancing the permeability of antioxidants. In addition, PVP can also be used to prepare nanoemulsions, thereby improving the texture and absorption of cosmetics (IntechOpen-OpenScienceOpenMinds).
Development of sustainable and environmentally friendly products
With the improvement of environmental awareness, the sustainable application of PVP has become one of the future development directions. Studies have shown that PVP can be modified by bio-based materials or biodegradable technologies to reduce its impact on the environment. In the future, PVP is expected to be used more in green cosmetics and personal care products, such as products using environmentally friendly packaging and renewable resource synthesis (MDPI).
Personalized customized products
With the development of big data and artificial intelligence technology, personalized customized products have gradually become a trend. As a polymer that is easy to adjust and modify, PVP can adapt to the needs of different formulations and provide technical support for the development of personalized products. For example, by adjusting the molecular weight and structure of PVP, exclusive skin care products tailored to different skin types and needs can be developed (IntechOpen-OpenScienceOpenMinds).
6 Summary
Due to its unique chemical properties and versatility, PVP has become a key ingredient in the cosmetics and personal care industry. With the advancement of science and technology, PVP will be more widely used in smart skin care, nanotechnology, sustainable development and personalized customized products. Looking ahead, PVP has great potential in innovative product development and is bound to occupy an important position in the ever-changing market.