Polyvinyl Alcohol

A synthetic polymer that thickens water to form a gel and prevents other ingredients from separating.
Functions
Origin
Polyvinyl Alcohol

Overview

Polyvinyl alcohol is a synthetic water-soluble polymer. This ingredient is supplied as a white powder, and when dissolved in water, it thickens the water to form a gel. Thus, one purpose of polyvinyl alcohol is as to control viscosity.

Being a polymer, this ingredient also acts as a film forming agent, which means it protects the other ingredients in the product from being rinsed away easily.

Additionally, polyvinyl alcohol works as a binding agent, in which it holds ingredients together and prevents them from separating. This is useful in emulsions and other ingredient mixtures.