Polybutene.
Also known as: polyisobutene, hydrogenated polyisobutene, polybutylene, indopol
A synthetic polymer derived from petroleum, used as a thickener, binder, and viscosity-increasing agent in lip glosses, lipsticks, and other cosmetics. Polybutene has low direct toxicity but is a petroleum-derived synthetic with environmental persistence concerns.
By the numbers.
1 = low concern, 10 = avoid.
Risk by usage.
How risk shifts depending on how often you use products with Polybutene.
Minimal health concern from occasional use.
Low health risk. Environmental persistence and petroleum derivation are the primary concerns.
Low health risk even at high usage. Consider plant-based alternatives for environmental reasons.
What the research says.
Low direct toxicity. Generally considered safe for topical and incidental oral exposure at cosmetic concentrations.
Petroleum-derived synthetic polymer that is not biodegradable and persists in the environment.
Global status.
How polybutene is regulated in cosmetics around the world.
The reason brands include it.
Creates the thick, glossy, non-sticky texture characteristic of modern lip glosses. Excellent at providing shine and viscosity at low cost.
18
products in our database
11
brands use it
3
product categories
Better alternatives exist. Brands choose polybutene because it’s cheap and effective, but safer options like castor oil (for gloss and viscosity), plant-derived polyglyceryl esters, candelilla wax deliver similar results without the health concerns.
Polybutene in product types.
Click a category to see every product containing polybutene.
Products Containing Polybutene
These popular products list polybutene in their ingredient labels. Tap any card to see the full breakdown.
And 6 more products in our database.
Compared to Numbrrrz.
Here’s how the lowest-scoring product containing polybutene compares.
Maybelline Baby Lips
Maybelline
Numbrrrz
Organic Lip Balm
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What to use instead.
What Numbrrrz uses instead
Numbrrrz lip balms achieve a smooth, glossy finish with Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil, and Organic Beeswax — no petroleum-derived polymers like polybutene needed.
Quick answers.
Is polybutene in lip gloss safe?
Why is polybutene in almost every lip gloss?
Is polybutene the same as plastic?
Is polybutene biodegradable?
What lip glosses don't use polybutene?
Does Numbrrrz use polybutene?
How these brands stack up.
Brands that use polybutene — see how they compare.