Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is a synthetic rheology modifier and emulsion stabilizer, building gel-like viscosity and helping suspend droplets, pigments, or particles in water-based formulas. It is especially common in gels, lotions, sunscreens, and cleansers where a smooth, stable texture is needed.
What does Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is a synthetic rheology modifier and emulsion stabilizer, building gel-like viscosity and helping suspend droplets, pigments, or particles in water-based formulas. It is especially common in gels, lotions, sunscreens, and cleansers where a smooth, stable texture is needed.
Is Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate clean?
Clean-beauty standards often flag it because it is a synthetic, non-biodegradable polymer rather than because of direct skin irritation, which is generally low at typical use levels. Some retailers and certification programs restrict it under microplastic or synthetic polymer criteria.
Is Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate sustainable?
It is generally made from petrochemical feedstocks and is not considered readily biodegradable. The main environmental concern is persistence as a high-molecular-weight crosslinked polymer, especially in rinse-off products.
Is Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate COSMOS-approved?
It is not permitted in COSMOS-natural or COSMOS-organic formulas because it is a synthetic petrochemical-derived polymer outside the allowed material categories. It has weak Green Chemistry alignment on renewable sourcing and end-of-life biodegradability, although it can be effective at very low concentrations.
How does Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate work chemically?
The molecule is a crosslinked, high-molecular-weight anionic network that swells when neutralized, converting water into a clear to translucent gel and helping stabilize dispersed oil droplets. Typical use levels are about 0.1–1.0%, with neutralization to roughly pH 5.5–7.5 for peak viscosity, while salts, strong electrolytes, or high surfactant loads can reduce thickening efficiency.
Last updated 2026-05-16