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.
1 = low concern, 10 = avoid
Risk by Usage Frequency
How risk changes depending on how often you use products containing 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.
Health Risks
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 Regulatory Status
How polybutene is regulated in cosmetics and personal care products around the world.
Why Brands Use Polybutene
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 Categories
Click a category to see every product containing polybutene in that category, with full ingredient breakdowns.
Products Containing Polybutene
These popular products list polybutene in their ingredient labels. Tap any card to see the full ingredient breakdown and safety analysis.
And 6 more products in our database.
The Worst Offender vs Numbrrrz
Here's how the lowest-scoring product containing polybutene compares to Numbrrrz.
Maybelline Baby Lips
Maybelline
Numbrrrz
Organic Lip Balm
Get Your Free Ingredient Safety Report
Enter your email and we'll send you a personalized breakdown of the most common harmful ingredients in your daily products.
Safe Alternatives
What Numbrrrz Uses Instead
Numbrrrz lip balms achieve a smooth, glossy finish with organic coconut oil, organic jojoba oil, and beeswax — no petroleum-derived polymers like polybutene needed.
FAQ
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?
See How These Brands Compare to Numbrrrz
Brands that use polybutene in their products — see how they stack up.
