7 Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Polyvinylpyrrolidone/Vinyl Acetate Copolymer

Abstract

Polyvinylpyrrolidone/Vinyl Acetate Copolymer (PVP/VA Copolymer) is the copolymer of vinyl pyrrolidone (VP) and vinyl acetate (VA) monomers. The ingredient is used primarily in hair care products and secondly in skin and nail products. Acute oral toxicity studies on mice and rats showed low to no toxicity. Chronic oral and inhalation studies produced no effects. The acute ocular irritation of PVP/VA Copolymer at concentrations ranging from 25% to 50% in alcohol produced no reaction to severe irritation. Acute skin irritation studies of 50% PVP/VA Copolymer in alcohol on abraded and intact skin produced mild skin irritation. PVP/VA Copolymer was not a sensitizer to guinea pigs after intracutaneous injections. Formulations containing 1.75%, 4.0%, and 5.0% PVP/VA Copolymer produced no irritation in 24-hour clinical patch tests nor any evidence of sensitization in a repeated insult patch test at a concentration of 5.0%. On the basis of the available information, it is concluded that Polyvinylpyrrolidone/Vinyl Acetate Copolymer is safe as a cosmetic ingredient under present conditions of concentration and use.