Common Name(s): Potassium carbomer,crosslinked acrylate polymer,rheology/film-forming modifier

CAS Number: N/a

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Provides yield-stress gel formation that suspends particles and creates elegant gel textures through controlled polymer architecture.

Why It's Used: Synthetic acrylate polymers deliver precisely engineered rheological and film properties unavailable from natural biopolymers — molecular weight, crosslink density, and monomer ratio precisely control the performance output.

How It Works: Crosslinked network above c* provides yield stress (high zero-shear viscosity, low shear-stress viscosity) for particle suspension and elegant gel texture. ph-activated expansion (carbomers) or direct swelling (associative crosspolymers) provides thickening mechanism.

Typically Found In: Skin care,hair care,colour cosmetics

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Active ingredient – cosmetic active

Secondary Functions: Skin conditioning

Application Areas:

Typical Concentration Range: 0.1%–5%

SOURCING & ETHICS

Vegan Status: Yes

Halal Status: Yes

Source Notes: Commercially produced for cosmetic use. verify vegan/halal status with supplier.

SKIN COMPATIBILITY

Irritancy Rating: 1/5 – very low

Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 – non-comedogenic

Sensitivity Concerns: Well-tolerated by most skin types.

Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes

SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY

Safety Profile: Good safety profile at recommended concentrations. ewg score: 1–2.

Works Well With: Standard skincare actives

Avoid Combining With: No known significant incompatibilities

SCIENTIFIC NOTE

Eu regulation 2023/2055 restricts synthetic polymer microplastics — formulators must verify their specific polymer molecular architecture meets the non-microplastic definition (soluble, biodegradable, or not forming solid particles) to ensure continued use.

Last Verified: Cosing database,potassium carbomer acrylate polymer review

Primary Sources: 2026-03-12