What it is
This ingredient is a synthetic copolymer of acrylic acid with longer C12-22 alkyl acrylate monomers, making it a hydrophobically modified acrylate polymer. It thickens water-based phases and stabilizes emulsions, and the long alkyl groups give it surface-active, emulsifying character useful in lotions and sunscreens. It is part of the carbomer family of acrylate rheology modifiers.
Safety & warnings
As a high-molecular-weight synthetic polymer it remains on the skin surface and is generally well tolerated; it is not a fragrance allergen or a comedogenic oil.
Origin & sourcing
Synthetic polymer made by copolymerizing acrylic acid with C12-22 alkyl acrylate monomers.
Questions everyone asks
What is this ingredient's role?
It is a thickener and emulsion stabilizer, part of the acrylate or carbomer family of rheology modifiers.
Why does it have long alkyl groups?
The C12-22 alkyl chains make it hydrophobically modified, giving it emulsifying character in addition to thickening.