Polyvinylpyrrolidone
Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) – (water-soluble polymer)
Synonyms: PVP, povidone, polyvidone, poly(1-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone), PVP K-12 / K-30 / K-90 (grades linked to molecular weight)
INCI / functions: film former, hair fixative, binder, suspension stabilizer, viscosity controlling (in specific systems), supports dispersibility of actives/powders
Definition
Polyvinylpyrrolidone is a synthetic, water-soluble polymer obtained from the monomer unit N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone, used as a functional ingredient in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and, in some contexts, food/technical applications. From a compositional standpoint, the ingredient consists mainly of PVP polymer chains (repeating pyrrolidone lactam units), with possible trace residual monomer and process-related impurities within the specification limits of the selected grade. In formulation, it forms transparent, adherent films, improves cohesion in solid or dispersed systems, and contributes to physical stability thanks to its strong affinity for water and its ability to interact with surfaces/powders.
In dietary supplements, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) mainly serves a technological function. It is used as a binder to improve tablet cohesion and mechanical strength. It helps ensure a uniform distribution of active ingredients. It contributes to controlled dissolution of the product. It enhances manufacturing consistency and product quality.
Calories (energy value)
| Metric | Value |
|---|
| Energy value (100 g) | Not practically significant at typical use levels (technological use, not nutritional) |
| Technical note | High-molecular-weight polymer: in cosmetic use and as an excipient, the energy impact on the finished product is generally negligible |
Identification data and specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|
| Name | Polyvinylpyrrolidone |
| INCI | PVP |
| Chemical nature | hydrophilic polymer, nonionic (strongly polar) |
| CAS number | 9003-39-8 |
| EC number | 618-363-4 (reported in many supplier SDS/registers) |
| Typical commercial grades | K-12, K-30, K-60, K-90 (index correlated with molecular weight) |
| Property | Indication |
|---|
| Appearance | white to off-white powder / granules |
| Odor | none to slight |
| Solubility | very soluble in water; variable solubility in organic solvents depending on grade and system |
| Hygroscopicity | moderate to high (tends to absorb moisture) |
| pH (aqueous solution, indicative) | typically slightly acidic to neutral (depends on grade and concentration) |
| Film-forming behaviour | forms transparent films; flexibility depends on grade and humidity/plasticization |
| Parameter | Technical note |
|---|
| K-value | practical selection parameter for viscosity, tack, and film strength (higher K → longer chains → “stronger” film and higher viscosity) |
| Purity (cosmetic/pharma grades) | controls on residues, moisture, ash, metals/impurities per supplier grade specifications |
Functional role and clarification “film former / fixative / binder”
| Function | What it does in the formulation | Typical use |
|---|
| Film former | creates a continuous film that improves hold and uniformity | hair styling, make-up, film-forming treatments |
| Hair fixative | increases style hold and helps reduce frizz from humidity (grade-dependent) | sprays, gels, mousses |
| Binder | improves cohesion of powders/compacts and particle-to-particle adhesion | pressed powders, solid systems, compacts |
| Suspension stabilizer | helps keep solids/pigments dispersed (in synergy with rheology) | opaque cleansers, make-up, aqueous suspensions |
| Dispersibility support | can improve wetting and dispersibility of some actives/powders | multi-solvent systems, dispersions |
Formulation compatibility
| System / variable | Compatibility | Control notes |
|---|
| Aqueous systems | generally excellent | check viscosity after 24–48 h (full hydration) |
| Hydroalcoholic systems | often good | alcohol may reduce viscosity/hydration; verify low-temperature clarity |
| Electrolytes/salts | to be assessed | high salinity can reduce rheological performance and suspension stability |
| Surfactants | generally compatible | may increase foam or change sensorial profile in some systems; stability testing recommended |
| Film-forming polymers | often synergistic | watch for tackiness if total polymer fraction is high |
| Complexing actives | caution | may interact with certain molecules (e.g., iodine complexes in technical/pharma contexts) |
Use guidelines (indicative)
| Application | Typical range | Technical note |
|---|
| Hair styling (gels, mousses, sprays) | 0.5–10% | select K-value based on hold and sensorial profile; assess tack/flaking |
| Make-up (mascara, foundation, primer) | 0.2–5% | transparent film; supports adhesion and performance |
| Opaque cleansers / rinse-off | 0.1–2% | suspension support and feel; check salt compatibility |
| Pressed powders (binder) | 0.5–5% | depends on compression and target pay-off |
| Pharmaceutical use (excipient) | variable | grade and specs chosen per application (binder/solubilization support) |
| Topic | Good practices |
|---|
| Dispersion | add slowly into water under agitation to prevent lumps; allow hydration and re-check viscosity |
| Tack management | if film feels sticky, lower dose, change K-value, or introduce co-film formers/plasticizer |
| Stability | stress tests (heat/cool cycles, centrifuge) to check separation and rheology drift |
Typical applications
Hair care: sprays, gels and mousses as hair fixative and film former.
Make-up: mascara, primers and bases to improve adhesion and film uniformity.
Skincare: products with a “film” effect or sensorial support (in synergy with other polymers).
Powder/pigment systems: supports dispersion stability and cohesion (with appropriate rheology).
Quality, grades and specifications
| Topic | Detail |
|---|
| Grade differences | K-value/molecular weight affect viscosity, film strength, flaking and sensorial profile |
| Cosmetic grade | focus on color/odor, impurities, film-forming performance and batch repeatability |
| Pharmaceutical grade | tighter controls on impurities/residues, moisture, metals, and compliance with applicable monographs |
| Typical CoA parameters | solution viscosity, moisture, ash, impurities, microbiology (if required) |
Safety, regulation and environment
| Topic | Operational guidance |
|---|
| Use safety | generally low toxicity at use levels; dust may irritate eyes and respiratory tract |
| Allergenicity | not typically associated with sensitization; always assess the finished product |
| EU cosmetics | usable under general rules and GMP; verify finished-formula compliance |
| Environment | water-soluble polymer: manage effluents and process residues per good practice; avoid uncontrolled dust dispersion |
Formulation troubleshooting
| Issue | Possible cause | Corrective actions |
|---|
| Lumps / “fish eyes” | incomplete wetting, rapid addition | pre-dispersion, slow sprinkling addition, higher shear, hydration time |
| Sticky film (tack) | high dose, non-optimal K-value, high humidity | reduce dose, switch grade (lower K), add co-polymers or adjust solvents |
| Flaking | film too rigid or excess polymer | increase plasticization, reduce solids, rebalance film former blend |
| Haze in hydroalcoholic systems | solvent incompatibility / water-alcohol ratio | retune solvent ratio, switch grade, add compatible co-solvent |
| Unstable viscosity over time | progressive hydration or salt interference | standardize maturation time, reduce electrolytes, optimize addition order |
Conclusion
Polyvinylpyrrolidone is a highly versatile water-soluble polymer, composed mainly of PVP chains (units derived from N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone). In cosmetics it is particularly valuable as a film former and hair fixative, as well as a binder and dispersions stability aid. Selecting the right grade (K-value) and managing hydration, solvents and electrolytes are the practical factors that drive performance, sensoriality and formula stability.
- Molecular Formula C6H9NO C6H13NOP2
- Linear Formula (C6H9NO)n
- Molecular Weight 111.14
- Exact Mass 111.068413
- CAS 25249-54-1 1-Vinyl-2-pyrrolidinone homopolymer (9003-39-8)
- UNII 4LFS24GD0V
- EC Number 201-800-4 607-660-4
- DSSTox Substance ID
- IUPAC 1-Ethenyl-2-pyrrolidinone homopolymer
- InChl=1S/C6H13NOP2/c8-5-2-1-3-7(5)6(10)4-9/h6H,1-4,9-10H2
- InChl Key LQIAZOCLNBBZQK-UHFFFAOYSA-N
- SMILES C1CC(=O)N(C1)C(CP)P
- MDL number MFCD00149016
- PubChem Substance ID
- ChEBI 185135
- RTECS TR8370000
- NCI C80893
- RXCUI 1310706
Synonyms:
- Vinylpyrrolidone
- Polyvinylpyrrolidone
- PVP
- Povidone
- 1-Vinyl-2-pyrrolidinone
- polyvinylpolypyrrolidone
Polyplasdone ; bolinan; colidon; dulcilarmes; hemodyn; kollidon; kollidon 12; kollidon 15; kollidon 17; kollidon 25; kollidon 30; kollidon 40; kollidon 90; kollidon cl; kollidon k30; kollidon k60; kollidon k90; luviskol k30; periston; periston n; plasdone; plasdone 25; plasdone 26 28; plasdone k 29-32; plasdone k 90; plasmosan; poly(n vinyl 2 pyrrolidone); poly(n vinylpyrrolidone); polyvidone; polyvidonk25; polyvinyl polypyrrolidone; poly(vinylpyrrolidone); polyvinylpyrrolidone; polyvinylpyrrolidone; polyvinylpyrrolidone 10 000; polyvinylpyrrolidone 11000; polyvinylpyrrolidone 25000; polyvinylpyrrolidone40000; polyvinylpyrrolidone 44 000; polyvinylpyrrolidone 700 000; polyvinylpyrrolidone solution; poridone; povidone 40; pvp 40000; pvp macrose; rp 143; subtosan; vinisil; 1 vinyl 2 pyrrolidinone polymer; kollidon k 30; polyvidon k25; polyvinyl pyrrolidone; polyvinylpyrrolidone 40000
References__________________________________________________________________________
Porto G, Pitino A, Gori M, Pitea M, Alvaro ME, Tripepi GL, Policastro G, Martino F, Minniti RD, Germano' J, Loteta B, Utano G, Bilardi E, Cogliandro F, Alati C, Marafioti V, D'Arrigo G, Martino M. Efficacy of Polyvinylpyrrolidone-Zinc Gluconate and Taurine Gel in the Prophylaxis of Oral Mucositis in Adults Undergoing High-Dose Chemotherapy and Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation. Diseases. 2025 Dec 18;13(12):408. doi: 10.3390/diseases13120408.
Abstract. Background: Oral mucositis (OM) is a significant complication after allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Objectives: This prospective, observational cohort study assessed the effectiveness of a polyvinylpyrrolidone-zinc gluconate and taurine (PVP-ZG-TAU) oral gel in managing OM. The primary objective was to determine whether the gel reduced the incidence and grade of OM and accelerated its resolution. Methods: The study enrolled 82 patients; 39 received the PVP-ZG-TAU gel, and 43 represented a historical control group. To prevent oral mucositis, both groups maintained good oral hygiene. In the experimental group, patients received three sprays of PVP-ZG-TAU gel, three times a day, from the start of conditioning chemotherapy until day +15 after allo-SCT. Results: In the PVP-ZG-TAU group, 79.1% patients experienced grade 1-2 OM and 20.9% experienced grade 3-4 OM. In the control group, 74.4% had grade 1-2 OM, and 25.6% had grade 3-4 OM (p = ns). Resolution occurred significantly faster in the PVP-ZG-TAU group, with an 84% resolution rate per 100 person-weeks, compared with 62% in the control group. Cox regression analysis revealed that treatment was associated with a 68% greater likelihood of earlier resolution (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 1.68; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03-2.74; p = 0.036). Conclusions: These findings suggest that PVP-ZG-TAU can reduce OM duration and serve as a supportive intervention for allo-SCT patients.
Doan L, Tran K, Huynh KG, Nguyen TMD, Tang LVH. Surface Modifications of Zinc Oxide Particles with Chitosan, Polyethylene Glycol, Polyvinyl Alcohol, and Polyvinylpyrrolidone as Antibacterial Agents. Polymers (Basel). 2025 Dec 11;17(24):3283. doi: 10.3390/polym17243283.
Abstract. To investigate the effect of nanoparticle reinforcement, polymer blends (M8) comprising polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyethylene glycol, and chitosan were modified using zinc oxide particles (M8/ZnO). This study introduces an M8-modified ZnO composite that offers a non-antibiotic approach relevant to antimicrobial resistance. The average particle size of the ZnO particles was determined to be 181.8 nm using scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis. Based on the inhibition percentage, M8 has a minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) to have at least a 50% inhibition, or MIC50 value, against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) and Salmonella enterica (SE) at 12.5 and 25% of M8, respectively. The MIC with at least a 90% inhibition percentage, or MIC90, of M8 against SE and PA is 25% of M8. On the other hand, the MIC50 of M8/ZnO against SE, Staphylococcus aureus (SA), and PA is 25, 12.5, and 50% of M8/ZnO, respectively. The MIC90 of M8/ZnO against SE and SA is 50% and 25% of M8/ZnO, respectively. However, M8/ZnO does not inhibit a minimum of 90% of the PA bacteria. Hence, the ratio optimization between M8 and ZnO or the usage of other particles should be considered as a topic for future study.
Kreft K, Kozamernik B, Urleb U. Qualitative determination of polyvinylpyrrolidone type by near-infrared spectrometry. Int J Pharm. 1999 Jan 15;177(1):1-6. doi: 10.1016/s0378-5173(98)00265-8.
Abstract. Soluble polyvinylpyrrolidones are very useful and versatile pharmaceutical auxiliaries. The different types of povidone are characterised by their viscosity measured in water, expressed as a K-value. We have developed a rapid, accurate, reliable, and non-destructive near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy method for the determination of PVP type and consequently identification thereof. We have implemented chemometrics onto NIR spectra collected in diffuse reflectance mode using fibre optics to build a qualitative model that enables us to obtain useful analytical information. A principal component analysis and a modelling technique soft independent modelling of class analogy (SIMCA) were applied. An approach to validate the method was developed.
Polyvinylpyrrolidone 
PVP polymer chains
