What it is
Sodium Acrylate is the sodium salt of acrylic acid and is best known as a monomer used to make acrylate-based polymers. In finished cosmetics the contribution comes from the polymerized form, which can thicken, stabilize, and bind water within a formula. It supports texture and viscosity control in gels, emulsions, and lotions.
Safety & warnings
In its polymerized, finished-product form it is generally well tolerated and considered low risk for irritation. Concern over residual acrylic acid monomer is managed by manufacturing controls.
Origin & sourcing
Synthetic: produced by neutralizing acrylic acid with a sodium base.
Questions everyone asks
What is sodium acrylate used for?
It is mainly a building block for acrylate polymers that thicken, stabilize, and bind water in cosmetic formulas.
Is it the same as the polymer in the product?
It is the monomer; the functional ingredient in a finished product is usually the polymerized form.