Acrylates/C12-22 Alkylmethacrylate Copolymer ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is a synthetic film-former and rheology modifier that helps build water resistance, stabilize emulsions, and improve slip in creams, sunscreens, and color cosmetics.
What does Acrylates/C12-22 Alkylmethacrylate Copolymer do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is a synthetic film-former and rheology modifier that helps build water resistance, stabilize emulsions, and improve slip in creams, sunscreens, and color cosmetics.
Is Acrylates/C12-22 Alkylmethacrylate Copolymer clean?
From a clean-beauty perspective, it has low direct irritation potential because the molecule is large and not expected to penetrate skin meaningfully. The main friction is its synthetic polymer status, possible trace residual monomers, and restriction by standards focused on non-biodegradable polymers.
Is Acrylates/C12-22 Alkylmethacrylate Copolymer sustainable?
This material is typically made from petrochemical feedstocks and is not readily biodegradable. Its environmental profile is shaped less by acute skin concerns and more by persistence after rinse-off or disposal.
Is Acrylates/C12-22 Alkylmethacrylate Copolymer COSMOS-approved?
It is generally not permitted in COSMOS natural or organic products because it is a synthetic, non-biodegradable film-forming polymer. It has weak Green Chemistry alignment due to fossil-derived inputs and limited end-of-life breakdown.
How does Acrylates/C12-22 Alkylmethacrylate Copolymer work chemically?
This compound is a high-molecular-weight copolymer made from ester monomers with long hydrophobic side chains, which lets it form flexible, water-resistant films on skin or hair. It is typically used at low single-digit percentages, is broadly stable across normal cosmetic pH ranges, and is often paired with emulsifiers, waxes, oils, or UV filters to improve film continuity and wear.
Last updated 2026-08-20