Polyvinyl Alcohol Poco recomendable Agente formador de película No known benefits Polyvinyl Alcohol description A synthetic polymer of vinyl alcohol that functions in cosmetics as a gel-based thickener, film-forming, and binding agent. Used quite a bit in peel-off facial masks, this type of alcohol may pose a risk of aggravating skin unless combined with other ingredients that offset this potential, such as glycerine, emollients, or other skin-repairing ingredients.