Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is primarily a film-former that improves water resistance, transfer resistance, and wear time in sunscreens, makeup, and hair styling products. It can also add slip and help pigments or UV filters sit more evenly on skin or hair.
What does Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is primarily a film-former that improves water resistance, transfer resistance, and wear time in sunscreens, makeup, and hair styling products. It can also add slip and help pigments or UV filters sit more evenly on skin or hair.
Is Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer clean?
From a clean beauty perspective, it has low direct irritation potential but significant friction because it is a synthetic film-forming polymer. Many clean standards scrutinize it due to persistence concerns rather than routine skin-safety concerns.
Is Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer sustainable?
This material is made from synthetic petrochemical and silicon-derived feedstocks and is not considered readily biodegradable. Its main sustainability drawback is environmental persistence after rinse-off or removal, especially in products that enter wastewater.
Is Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer COSMOS-approved?
It is not aligned with COSMOS-natural or COSMOS-organic standards because it is a synthetic silicone-containing polymer. From a Green Chemistry lens, it scores poorly on renewable sourcing and end-of-life biodegradability, even though it can improve product durability and reduce reapplication.
How does Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer work chemically?
The molecule is a hybrid polymer with hydrophobic siloxane-rich portions and ester-based polymer portions, which helps it form flexible, water-resistant films. It is typically used at low single-digit percentages in leave-on formulas, with higher levels possible in long-wear color cosmetics, and it is usually paired with oils, volatile carriers, pigments, or UV-filter systems for even film formation.
Last updated 2026-05-13